- Maria Greco
Seeking peace
"Keep your heart in peace and let nothing trouble you, not even your faults. You must humble yourself and amend them peacefully, without being discouraged or cast down, for God's dwelling is in peace."
St. Margaret Mary Alacoque
Every soul is thirsting for peace. We were created to be in peace with God and thus be at peace with our neighbor. Peace is what souls are searching for. Whether they will admit it or not, they are in truth searching for God for He Alone is True Peace, He alone is True Fulfillment, He Alone is True Joy, He Alone is Mercy and Love Itself.
Many souls go about their earthly existence searching for peace in the vanities of this passing world. These superficial pleasures are but a moment and they do not bring true peace nor do they bring true happiness but rather an emptiness, a bitter void. The peace that these hearts are languishing and restlessly searching for is the God who created their hearts, who wills each beat of their heart.
The world does not have peace because the world has openly rejected God and chosen not to abide by His commandments. The misery of this world has chosen darkness over light and preferred emptiness over fulfillment. But why? Why is it that souls who created to love and be loved choose not to abide and follow Jesus Christ Who is truly the only "way, the truth and the life"* Who Alone satisfies the empty soul? It is because souls are not willing to love Love Itself. They are choosing everything apart from Him.
He alone above everyone and everything is worthy of endless praise, glory, devotion and this is only what God asks of His people is this, love. God is infinite goodness and in His infinite goodness has created souls to come to know Him, to Love Him and to be at peace with Him. The dignity that is bestowed upon human-beings is unbelievable. To redeem the fallen race from sin, our own fault, God lived and died for His miserable creatures who offended Him. He so desired souls to be saved from eternal damnation that they could live in total bliss and ecstasy with Him for eternity, that He chose the Way of the Cross. His love for human beings is truly incomprehensible and we are forever indebted to Him.
So, is it not fitting then, that we give to Our Lord what is His due? Out of justice, is it not right and just that we abide and adhere to His way? Out of reverence, respect and love for God we must revere, respect and love our neighbor. It is only fitting, right and just. We must do this by living pure and chaste lives.
Purity is what all souls are called to. Purity of mind, purity of heart and purity of soul. This purity can only be attained through union and peace with God. This purity then reflects from within and transforms everything about oneself.
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."
Matthew 5:8
We must dress in a dignified manner that sanctifies our neighbor and encourages them in the virtues of purity, chastity and obedience to God. We must do this out of love for God. For we show Him that we love Him by obeying His commandments and "His commandments are not burdensome."*
The pure in heart seek only what will most please God, what will bring Him the greatest glory and honor. And so this in turn leads the faithful soul to change the different aspects about one's life, in order to reflect the purity of soul that the Lord has adorned her with. As women are sacred due to the dignity that God has graced them with, the gift of child bearing, the woman must choose a way of life that reflects this sublime honor granted her. This way of life is purity and modesty in all it's forms. How can one begin to understand this way of life? The answer is simple, prayer. Invoking the Holy Spirit to enlighten the mind into all Truth, by praying the Rosary, by frequenting the Holy Sacraments. This is so necessary. For without abiding in God, truly we can do nothing.
Indulging into temptations under a false belief that it is "freeing", in fact enslaves the soul and offends God. Temptations come from the enemy and are empty shows; their only intent is on separating the soul from God which leads to darkness and immorality.
Yet, God offers the soul the gift of reconciliation, He offers the soul hope, He offers the soul peace if only she will love God and obey His words. Chastity, purity and modesty are the paths to peace, the paths to God and these truly free the soul.
May we be the hands and feet of Christ, shining like lanterns in this fallen word. May Our Lord live His Divine Life once again in and through our souls, that we may lead others into the way of everlasting. May He adorn our souls with chastity, purity and modesty and thus be peace.
St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, pray for us.
Notes:
Holy Scripture
John 14:6
1 John 5:3