"Do not let yourself be distracted by the great noises of war, the dramatic descriptions of misery, and the sensational expressions of human cruelty...
The newspapers, movies, and war novels may make you numb, but they do not create in you a true desire for peace..."
-Nouwen, Henri, The Path of Peace, Finding My Way Home: Pathways to life and spirit, (Diliman, Quezon City: Claretian Publications, 2004),80.
I was at St. Paul's Saturday afternoon when I received an invitation to reflect on 'peace.'
The reflection grew with several posts I read ~ 'survival stories,' an uproar on justice, war, gruesome crimes, family misunderstandings, passing of a bill I don't support, etc.
It took me to a dream I had in November, it was a short flash but it was enough for me to remember ~ I saw the devil sitting on top of my roof
~ "it prowls like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (I Peter 5,8 NIV).
It's the second time I saw it. The first was in the form of wolves chasing after me...
"Be alert" (I Peter 5,8 NIV)... It deceives, disturbs and divides...
"Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of suffering" (I Peter 5,9 NIV).
I've always clung to a wall for support. It's strong, steadfast and full of love...
God lives inside... and as long as He does, the devil can NEVER enter...
Several friends wrote me during my absence. Believe me, the silence to cull the impurities was worth the wait...
Everything came together this Christmas: Belle was hospitalized, my mom suffered nausea and vomiting for several days and I had to switch antibiotics for a lung infection I still have now...
I realized how short life really is...
I broke into reminiscing several instances of my inquietude...
and I also recalled periods of grace ~when God gave me true peace ... HOPE! I unlocked these treasures in my mind ...
...redemption...
...in Rome, seeing the Pope face-to-face... One Friday moment
...retreat...
...in Africa, those moments in the water
... and in the desert
...reconciliation...
... little Strawberry in our midst this Christmas...
...recreation...
... my Satur-dates ... Affairs of the Heart
...renewal...
Arvy's promised Communion early 2013...
My aunt spoke to a catechist in our parish who would help us out this January... thanks God!
Let nothing disturb you,
Let nothing frighten you,
All things are passing away:
God never changes.
Patience obtains all things
Whoever has God lacks nothing;
God alone suffice.
-St. Teresa d'Avila-
(Source: EWTN Prayer Devotions )
There are so many things, news, events, incidents that take away our HOPE, JOY and PEACE this Christmas season... Look at that baby...
"Keep your eyes on the prince of peace, the one who doesn't cling to his divine power... That one, Jesus, is the source of all peace"(pp.80-81).
*Reading supplement: Click this link...