Malachi 3:1-4
Psalm 126
Philippians 1:3-11
Luke 3:1-6
Today we light the second candle, also purple, called “the Bethlehem Candle,” recalling the journey Mary and Joseph made for the preparation of Jesus’ birth. It is also known as “the ‘Peace Candle,” referring to Jesus’ arrival of true peace on Earth. “My peace I leave with you; my own peace I give you. I do not give it to you as the world does.” What does this peace mean to me?
I believe there has to be peace within myself before I can share with my family, neighbours and the outer world. The prayer attributed to St. Francis, the Peace Prayer, says how to live that life:
“Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved, as to love. For it is in giving that we receive. It is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.”
The Prince of Peace is “waiting in silence” for us to bring peace on earth and goodwill towards all.
May the peace of the Lord be always with you.
– Dot Sweeney
