Reflect
When the Buddhist monks walked 2,300 miles across the U.S. spreading a message of peace, and inspired so many to go within, I kept returning to Jesus’ words, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you” (Jn 14:27). Reflect on the abundance of these words: peace not just being left, but given. How can we give peace too?
Pray
As the monks trekked single-file
along the shoulders of backroads and highways,
they put one foot in front of the other,
silent through sleet and cold and hunger,
handing out flowers to those they passed,
and given flowers in return.
God, we sing a song that your peace is like a river
and yet we also see:
peace is as real as a child’s wildflower bouquet,
freshly picked.
As real as a rose, pale pastel on its stem.
Let us know that we can all
receive your peace, and give it.
Here:
take this white chrysanthemum.
Pass it on.
Act
Is there any place in your life today where you can add in the Franciscan greeting “Peace to you”? Perhaps in a text, or an email.
