Good Friday morning, my friends.
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:10)
"For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6-7)
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid." (John 14:27)
As we light this Advent Candle we acknowledge that peace does not reign in our world. The
natural world around us is being destroyed. Wars rage between countries. Injustice exists in
every nation. Violent conflicts erupt between friends. Children are abused right in our
neighborhoods. We ask, "Where is our hope?" "Who will show us the ways of peace and
reconciliation?" "Where do we find the strength, the will, the courage to work for peace and
justice?"
As always the child Jesus beckons us to prepare for his birth and in the birth of Jesus we find
hope. In the life and teachings of Jesus we find the way to peace and justice. And with the
help of the Holy Spirit we find the courage and the power to work for peace.
If we will follow Jesus we will find our way past greed and indifference to a restoration of
creation. If we follow Jesus we will find our way past the fear of differences to an appreciation
of diversity. If we follow Jesus we will find our way past hurts and disappointments to
forgiveness and reconciliation.
Jesus, the Prince of Peace, is our hope for Peace. Jesus shows us the way.
Amazing Grace and Eternal PEACE be yours,
Bruce
O God of all good gifts, this candle represents our desire to know you fully; to understand completely your love for us so that peace may truly dwell on all your holy mountain.
Help us, during this season of preparation, to remember the true meaning of readying ourselves to participate in your peaceful and loving ways.
Give us the courage to spread the message that your peace and love is for all people.
Grant healing in our personal lives that we may know the joy of life's true abundance.
Amen
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