Peace
Jesus Christ: Yesterday, Today, and Forever!
For almost a year now, the world, and our nation in particular, have been racked with anxiety due to the plague, quarantines, economic contraction, BLM/Antifa protests, the buildup to the election, the aftermath of the election, the storming of congress, and the second impeachment of President Trump. As a result of all this, many people have lost their peace. Perhaps that’s because for most, their peace isn’t found in the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ. Remember these words of Our Lord: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. Not as the world gives do I give it to you (Jn. 14:27).”
In reading the lives of the saints, one aspect of their lives that stands out is their inner peace. They can be slandered, arrested, and trotted off to their martyrdom all while maintaining their peace. How is that possible? The saints recognize that they are first and foremost citizens of heaven, not earth. Their focus is God and the things of God, eternal things, thus they recognize the passing nature of all the trials of this life. When we become distressed, let alone angry, we have to ask ourselves if this is of God or not. If it is not of God, then where are these feelings coming from? Answer: a misplaced focus – and the Enemy.
The world as we have come to know it is falling apart. That is to be expected from a world that has turned its back on Jesus Christ. The inevitable consequence of this is collapse, so that we can rise again in Christ. This story is repeated over and over again in the Old Testament where the Jews in their comfort and security would grow indifferent toward God and break His laws; ultimately collapsing, repenting, and reestablishing their fidelity to God.
We find ourselves in that same tragic cycle today. The world can only kill its babies annually by the millions and marry men to one another for so long before God’s judgement falls upon us. Just as this nation went through a tragic civil war to finally come to grips with slavery, so too must we go through some tragic chastisement to rid ourselves of even greater evils. But rise one day in Jesus Christ we will, and what a glorious day that will be.
Imagine this nation, and all nations, professing in their constitutions the sovereignty of Jesus Christ and outlawing all acts against God’s laws as found in the Bible and professed by the Catholic Church. As astonishing as it sounds, it will happen one day! “I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers, so that you will not become wise [in] your own estimation: a hardening has come upon Israel in part, until the full number of the Gentiles comes in … (Rm. 11:25).” Here the Word of God is referring to all people coming into the Catholic Church. For this to happen, both the Church and the world need purification. We are living in the first stages of that purification. Alleluia!
Cut way back on the amount of time you spend reading, watching, or listening to the news. Cling to Jesus daily in prayer and spiritual reading, and you’ll find your faith in Him growing, and your anxiety lifting.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7).”
May the Peace of Christ Be With You,
Fr. Thomas Nathe
