(Image by Gerd Altmann on Pixabay)

By Sister Michele Morek

After the explosion of color and pageantry and sacred stories that is Christmas (Angels! Shepherds! Kings!) it may be hard to re-enter the reality of the world into which The Word became incarnate. That world was certainly not perfect then, nor is ours. Peace and Love were his message, but how successful have we been – even after 2,000 years – in making the lion lie down with the lamb?

Since 1968 Catholics have observed January 1 as a day of prayer for peace.

As we consider our own New Year’s resolutions, we can work on how we personally bring about the Peaceable Kingdom. I pray, sign petitions, write letters to congresspeople, but still feel so helpless in the face of wars in Ukraine, Sudan, and Gaza, poverty around the world, and violence in our political system.

The late Sister Martha Buser, Ursuline Sister of Louisville, writing about our founder Saint Angela Merici, gave us some good advice:

Angela is said to have refused to be defined by the bleak realities of her times. That did not mean she did not see the bleakness around her; she simply refused to be defined by it. We too can refuse to be defined by the upheavals and wars and poverty around us. We can recognize them and take them to the foot of the cross as Angela did, and there find the strength and energy to be hope in the world, love in the world, and faith in the world. (Lover of us all: Spirituality of St. Angela Merici)

Ultimately the only reality I can control is myself:

• What parts of me are not peaceful?
• What can I do to spread the message of peace?