Peace according to Jesus...

Dave with a peaceful look on his face as he feels the soft body of a new kitten on his neck...  We are in the midst of some suffering that comes with living a life of Faith around here.  We are trying to hold onto the realization that there is a plan in all this and trusting in Jesus.  This trust means that we need to give up our all and die to self so that Christ may live and work in us.  It's hard!  Peace according to Jesus is what the Gospel holds out to us in the midst of this storm of life - we all have them on a regular basis- Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.  Not as the world gives do I give it to you.  Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid...  Jesus to us in John 14 today!  What kind of peace do we expect to find by following the worlds standards?  We would be thin, beautiful, successful, have all that we want to make us happy like a wonderful home, car, toys, vacations, friends that we party with, time for ourselves to do what we want... that is what the world tells us we need to find peace and happiness.  But we all know that this is shallow and leads us away from our Faith and True LOVE in Jesus in which we are asked to take up Our Most Cherished Cross and follow his example of LOVE - dying for the world to find LOVE/LIFE/LIGHT! 

Rose with a newborn calf - a peaceful scene for this day of turmoil and sadness...

So the Peace according to Jesus is just this - we need to die to self and Trust in Jesus - knowing that He is control in the midst of the storms of LIFE and that there is a plan.  What is a huge part of that plan?  That we be humble so that Christ can work in us and our lives, and that is so hard and painful!  I will always recall the first time I read the Litany of Humility, and I thought to myself - How can anyone pray for this?  Yet, we see over and over and over that we are asked to be humble and that this is the way we receive the Peace according to Jesus and not according to the world!

Danielle Rose - The Litany of Humility

O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me. From the desire of being esteemed, Deliver me, Jesus. From the desire of being loved... From the desire of being extolled ... From the desire of being honored ... From the desire of being praised ... From the desire of being preferred to others... From the desire of being consulted ... From the desire of being approved ... From the fear of being humiliated ... From the fear of being despised... From the fear of suffering rebukes ... From the fear of being calumniated ... From the fear of being forgotten ... From the fear of being ridiculed ... From the fear of being wronged ... From the fear of being suspected ... That others may be loved more than I, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it. Mary loves to put on her blue apron and serve humbly! That others may be esteemed more than I ... That, in the opinion of the world, others may increase and I may decrease ... That others may be chosen and I set aside ... That others may be praised and I unnoticed ... That others may be preferred to me in everything... That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should…          The Lamb is the symbol of humility as He silently faced the worst death as a spotless Lamb led to slaughter!  Jesus, we look to you this day and know that we need not be afraid and that your peace is there for us as we go down the narrow path carrying our cross and following after you.  Imagine this day in the first reading as Paul was stoned to death by those that hated him and yet he was surrounded by the Disciples arose and continued to preach and heal in the name of Jesus.  The rocks have been thrown at us and we know that although they hurt and kill a part of us - we are healed and used by you.  Humble and broken and dying to self so that you may work in us and heal us!  Jesus, we trust in you.  Amen and Hallelujah A woman, who showed the world how to live a humble life and go forth to love and serve others.  They pray The Litany of humility each week and ask for it. Yes, Lord! True Love - Danielle Rose Danielle Rose - Small things with great love