n e w c h u r c h l i f e : j u ly / au g u s t 2 0 1 6
Each of us is called to learn what
the Lord can teach us and let this light
shine from our words and actions.
He can lead us to see the order of His
creation and how He works to lead
us to a life of wisely loving behavior.
The truth the Lord has revealed calls
us to make decisions about what we
should and should not think, say and
do. It calls us to recognize that some
thoughts and motivations in our minds
are harmful to us and others.
These are things that the Lord
calls us to turn from, to shun as sins
against Him. He doesn’t promise that
our efforts to follow Him will always
lead to happiness and fulfillment in the
immediate present, but He gives us a
promise that is familiar to many of you:
We live in a world that is
far from perfect and yet
this is the place and time
the Lord has brought us
to and through which
He can help us prepare
for a heavenly life. The
Lord will work with
us and with others to
build a better world.
Peace has in it confidence in the Lord, that He directs all things, and provides all
things, and that He leads to a good end. When a person is in this faith, he is in
peace, for he then fears nothing, and no solicitude about things to come disquiets
him. A person comes into this state in proportion as he comes into love to the Lord.
(Arcana Coelestia 8455:1)
As we see events in the world around us that cause us concern, great and
small, sometimes we may sense that the Lord is calling us to do something to
influence the source of the concern. He may not want us to react with peaceful
acceptance. He may indeed be calling us to do something. Let us have the
resolve and courage to work individually and with others to bring about a
healthier state of affairs.
Sometimes an issue may seem far beyond our individual efforts to resolve.
May we, at these times, seek the peace of following the Lord as best we can in
our own lives and providing for the welfare of those near and dear to us.
We live in a world that is far from perfect and yet this is the place and time
the Lord has brought us to and through which He can help us prepare for a
heavenly life. Making good decisions in an imperfect world is not easy, but
we are not alone. The Lord will work with us and with others to build a better
world.
May the peace of knowing that truly the kingdom and the power and the
glory belong to Lord strengthen us and comfort us in our daily efforts to follow
Him. Amen.
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