Bring Us Peace
“Peace is not the absence of trouble, but the presence of Christ.” ~
I have to admit that I have lost my inner peace several times in the past week. The problems brought on by COVID-19 just seem to keep multiplying. Yesterday, even though I expected nothing less, when I received the official email from our bishop, my heart broke. As I posted the information about the closing off of our churches to all public Masses, with the exception of funerals, on several different sites — our parish web site, YouTube, Facebook, and my blog — I felt my heart becoming heavier and heavier.
I know what the power of the Eucharist is all about. I know the desire to receive the Eucharistic Lord. And I grieve over not being able to allow my people to celebrate the Eucharist especially as Easter draws near. In all my years of ordained ministry, I have never seen the absence of Holy Week. Yes, several years ago, I missed Easter because of an emerging cardiac problem; but, that was just my missing Easter and not my entire parish.
This morning, we will be in new territory as we live-stream morning Mass on Facebook and then post it on social media for others to watch if they missed the live-stream. My heart will break each time I celebrate the Mass without others being able to attend. As I celebrate and remember Mass intentions, I will think about those who requested the Masses, especially spouses or other family members. I will grieve that they are not able to attend the Mass that they requested and I will pray, all the more, not only for their intention but also for them.
Sometimes, that’s all that we can do: pray. It seems trite to say. I know that I often scoffed when I was growing up, especially when the good Sisters would tell us in grade school that we had to pray all the harder when we were lost or frightened or confused. I have resorted to prayer so often through the years and it has always helped me to find my center because, as I prayed, I could feel an inner peace spreading within myself.
Peace does not come from what we do or who we are. Peace does not come because times are good. Peace does not come because we win the lottery or go on a longed-for trip. Peace can only come from God and we can only find that peace when we look for it. The best way to look is to pray because prayer opens our hearts and minds to the great possibility of God.
There has been much happening that can disturb our inner peace. Our inner peace is not disturbed, though, because of the outside events. Our inner peace can only be disturbed when we take our eyes off of the Lord.
There is still peace to be found, even in these dark days. Peace can be found in the Lord. To find Him, settle down and pray.
FAITH ACTION: Take time to pray today and ask the Lord to reveal Himself to you so that you might find peace.