peace

"Peace is not an event, it is a state of mind and an attitude of soul."
We were talking about this just yesterday. At this time of year especially, so many people are stressed and frustrated by the secular idea of Christmas, rushing from here to there, worrying about what to buy Aunt Emmy, stretching themselves financially. One woman wrote in our local paper yesterday that by Jan. 1, her idea of the Christmas season consists of family feuds, tantrums and physical exhaustion. It reminded me of the words of the prayer at Mass after the Our Father: Deliver us Lord from every evil and grant us peace in our day. In your mercy keep us from sin and protect us from all anxiety as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our savior Jesus Christ. So the Christian prospect is for peace of mind, protection from needless anxiety, an attitude of hope and joy and waiting. I like this much better than frustration and being stressed out.