VICAR
Dear Readers of Country Squire Magazine, I trust that my weekly message finds You well and that You have started 2023 well.
This week I would like You to consider the conflict in the world and to pray for peace. The war in Ukraine is an obvious conflict and, as we watch the daily conflict there on our TV screens, we see and feel the need for change there.
Matthew 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
Romans 12:18 “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:23-24), Jesus said, “if you are offering your gift at the altar, and there, you remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.” Passing the Peace began as a way for people in the Christian community to be reconciled to one another before making their offering at the altar. It is for this reason that the Peace always comes before Communion.
We also pass the Peace because at the Last Supper, Jesus said “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you” (John 14:27), and later he said, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” (John 15:12). When Jesus himself appeared to the disciples after his resurrection, he greeted them by saying, “peace be with you” (Luke 24:36; John 20:19, 26) We bring these two together: just as Jesus shared his peace with us, so we should share peace with one another.
Peace starts at home. Who is there that You are in conflict with who perhaps You can offer an olive branch to? Is the conflict You are engaged in a just one?
God Bless You all this Sunday and have a great week ahead.
Almighty God,
from whom all thoughts of truth and peace proceed:
kindle, we pray, in the hearts of all, the true love of peace
and guide with your pure and peaceable wisdom
those who take counsel for the nations of the earth
that in tranquillity your kingdom may go forward,
till the earth is filled with the knowledge of your love;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen