Finding Peace

Author: Chrisma C. Bangaoil
"Finding True Peace: Ordering Our Priorities Around God"
Reflection Date: November 21, 2024 Thursday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time
Memorial to the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Daily Readings: Revelation 5:1-10; Luke 19:41-44

Today, we hear many people longing for ‘me time,’ which is often interpreted as a desire for peace, but even expensive ‘me time’ can be elusive.

The Gospel today reminds us that the peace we long for is not something we can buy or that the world can provide. Peace comes from ordering our priorities and making God the center and focus of all our undertakings. When we lose focus on God, everything crumbles into chaos.

It is a good time to review our lives and assess our priorities. Two practical suggestions are to examine our daily schedules and our expenses. 

Where is God in them? How much do we spend on prayer time, including visits to the Blessed Sacrament and Mass? How much time do we dedicate to being Christ to others? Compare this with the time spent on mundane pursuits. Where do we spend our money? Is it all for us? Do we invest a significant portion in our bodies or our souls?

May we have the grace to order our priorities and find peace in the Lord.

A Call to Action for Catholic Living: Peace is not found in "me time" or worldly pursuits, but in ordering our lives with God at the center. Review your daily schedule and expenses—where is God in them? Invest in prayer, Mass, and serving others, and spend wisely on what nourishes your soul. May we have the grace to align our priorities and find true peace in the Lord.