Jesus the Prince of Peace
Listening to the voice trying to share their needs, their problems through the sobs was a little bit difficult but I got the gist. It did not matter that I had not heard every word. Jesus had. It was not my response that was being depended upon, even though it helps. It was God responding, the Holy Spirit responding that was most important for this persons prayers of need, of desperation, of hopelessness.
The action of letting it all go, letting it all out – for it had been held in for so long a time – was a balm for the soul. Then the Loving comforting Spirit of God fell upon the whole situation. The tears stopped and peace reigned.
This was a moment of prayer that I had the privilege to participate in with a lady who asked for help. I felt compassion towards this lady and had asked her what was her most precious need…..
God gave me just the right words. He always comes through. He never disappoints when we truly look at His actions.
God is who He says He is!
Paul in the book of Romans describes God within His Prayer to the Romans.
Romans 15:13 NIV
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13 NIV
A NRSV bible says it this way:
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 15:13 NRSV
This overflowing of peace is present to all who are in the room. You feel like you can touch this atmosphere of peace and you want to ‘bottle it’……..
Jesus tells us that this Peace is available to all. He gives it to us.
In John’s Gospel Jesus describes to the apostles this peace which the Holy Spirit will bring.
“I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. 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 14:25-27 NRSV
Remember also after His Resurrection when Jesus is visiting the disciples who were hiding Jesus says again “Peace I give to you. Peace, I leave with you.
After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”
John 20:20-22 NRSV
This time though Jesus extends the peace. He asks us to participate in the delivery of peace to each and all. This is one of the benefits of a life with Jesus. Peace and hope reign in our Hearts. On the times when we don’t remember, when we are having a stressful day and our focus is on other things, other worries and concerns, it is Jesus who reminds us that He is the Prince of Peace.
May these jottings from my journal inspire you to believe in and fall in love with Christ- the hope of the world, as stated in Jeremiah 17:7, ‘Blessed is the man who believes and trusts in and relies on the Lord and whose hope and confident expectation is the Lord!’
Love
Rosemary
Every week groups of ladies meet together to chat about the things I raise in my weekly blog post and to chat about life in general. We call these ‘Heart Connect’ groups.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Where do you need peace? Have you asked Jesus for peace in this area? If not, why?
Where could you help others with peace in their life?
6 Comments
Janet
I have been feeling abandoned by the church. Nobody visits me though I haven’t been to church for a long time. Nobody misses me. I’m invisible . But these blogs are helping me to get connected to Jesus again. I’m a convert to Catholicism . But the Catholic Church doesn’t have fellowship or shepherds to find lost sheep. I am thinking of returning to my Protestant faith where I know I’ll be welcomed and the heartache of being invisible will end. When I read of this ladies group I suffer more because our parish doesn’t have anything like that.
Rosemarie
I understand how she feels as I to am convert and the Catholic church is not open to friends like the Pentacostal church so I started prayer group once a week for hr.we meet there are only four of us but we,ve grown close to one another and depend on each other’s prayers I encourage you to stay no church has the Eurchrist .it’s the true church just pray God,s spirit will change those who have the time to embrace you with His love.
Anne Mullins
For the 2 ladies who have commented on their loneliness with in the church. I am sorry to hear that you have experienced loneliness in the church, fortunately some parishes are welcoming and reach out to newcomers and invite them to groups and events. The church I currently attend has morning tea after one of the masses each Sunday all are welcome and welcomed. There is a lunch at one of the clubs in town each month that is open to all men and women, I was given a personal invitation to attend. My husband does not go to mass, he was made very welcome.
The Canberra Goulburn diocese has a ministry for women, “called to Connect” small groups of women, no more than 8 in a group, gather for fellowship, to read and reflect on a short passage of scripture and to spend some time in prayer. These groups have also been set up on line for those who find it difficult to get to the groups. I hope these suggestions have been helpful.
Deb
There are days when I feel God’s presence in my life much more deeply. Today is one of those days. Your recitation of Romans 15:13 touched me deeply. I want to keep that close to my heart forever. Listening to you and Bruce has brought peace and fulfillment to my life. God bless you both. I remember you in y prayers every day.
Rosemary Downes
Yes dear ladies- I have often felt lonely myself in my parish but then decided to do something about it and started a group myself. Where a group of women get together. , sharing life. I also started a zoom small group where we meet every Tuesday night- some from all different states around Australia. We share our lives, read the gospels- do Bible study and talk.you are all most welcome to join us- I can send you a link to join us via xoom. Message me if your interested.
Praying that Gods sends you friends
Love Rosemary
Suzanne
Replying to Janet’s message which I read earlier today. This reminded me of how I felt years ago when I also joined the Catholic Church.
So hard to fit in and meet people. At the time I was living in a rural area and when I’d introduce myself to people they’d ask me who I was related to. But I was from interstate, so I wasn’t.
When I moved to the city I found that people were more open to ‘new’ people. But eventually I started volunteering as a reader, and then with Vinnies and that lead to felling ‘known’. I also joined in Lent and Advent study groups.
However, we need to keep our eyes on Jesus, and not be distracted by what others do, or not do!
Years later I will go and speak with anyone I see who appears to be alone and ask them about their life.
We are all imperfect beings whilst on this earth, but if we all play our part we can share the Love of God!
May God Bless You Janet and hang in there! ❤️😊🙏 Suzanne