December 56-12, 2009
We enter the second week of Advent with the Candle of Peace.

Only then shall we feel the baby Jesus in our hearts.
What a miracle, the Heavenly King, born in our hearts!

Grace:

Heavenly King, reign over our lives. Let the peace you bring calm our weary hearts. Teach us to forgive, erase our worries, wipe out our anger, dry our tears. Help us find peace in the strength of your embrace. Amen.

Scripture:

Luke 3:1-6

1 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene, 2 during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the desert. 3 John went throughout the whole region of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, 4 as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah: A voice of one crying out in the desert: "Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. 5 Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low. The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth, 6 and all flesh shall see the salvation of God."

Reflection:

Spend some quiet time to look back at 2009. As you review the events of this year, try to remember how they have affected you or even changed you.

Focus on what you are feeling right at this very moment. Are you at peace?

Lift up your feelings to the Heavenly King, He who comes. Let Him bring you His peace.

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Prayer:

Heavenly King, our world is filled with all kinds of noise. It can be very difficult to find serenity and calm as we go through our days, always racing to achieve our dreams, hurrying to finish our tasks, and catching up on the demands hurled at us from every direction.

Where does this all lead? Will we ever find fulfillment?

Embrace me, dear King. Let me find peace amidst the chaos. Calm my weary heart. Erase my fears and worries.

This week, as you ponder on peace, let the following words guide your reflection:

"Responsibility does not only lie with the leaders of our countries or with those who have been appointed or elected to do a particular job. It lies with each of us individuals" - Dalai Lama