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Last Word |
¿Cómo es que las beatitudes cambian la manera que ves el mundo? |
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By Sister Maria Guadalupe Herrera Photos By: Guillermo Sosa Blessed too the peacemakers… active good works… must cultivate love. How amazing God is! Today I am asked to reflect on peace. Because of Pope John Paul’s II 25th anniversary, I went to the Vatican web site looking for ‘special features.’ The Holy Father link presented surprises. Between October 2002 and October 2003, peace has been a major theme in at least 69 addresses, statements, declarations, messages, interventions, Meetings with Youth, General Audiences, Apostolic Journeys, Homilies, and Prayers, such as Vigils, theAngelus and many more. Another surprise: Shouldn’t I have listened more carefully and followed the leader as peacemaker at a time when the world so desperately needs peace? In Scripture, peace is simply the gift of God Himself to humankind. It was promised to the Chosen People in the Hebrew Scriptures and brought to the world by Our Lord Jesus Christ. How reassuring to experience God’s solicitude for me as I pray the heartfelt words of the Canticle of Zechariah at Morning Prayer every day: …“Out of God’s deepest mercy a dawn will come from on high, light for those shadowed by death, a guide for our feet on the way to peace.”(Luke l) The way of peace for me presents a sense of ‘well-being’--a wholeness, health, safety--which Jesus won for all by delivering himself without reserve. So I am to be a peacemaker in that journey called life? I do strive to promote harmony within the human community, instead of fostering strife through violence for my personal advantage. Surprise, I do experiencepeace within myself, as the depths of a tranquil lake, even if at times the surface waters get downright choppy or stormy. A final surprise. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has invited Catholic Education at all levels to Pope John Paul’s II and to Jesus’ way of peace. Sowers of God’s Peace is the theme for the 2002-2003 Catechetical Year. Prayers, retreats, activities and ideas which can lead to good works which cultivate love have offered me a sense of comfort and hope, reminding me to look for the coming of the Reign of God when love will prevail above all else. It is with true appreciation that I acknowledge the Gentle Shepherds who guide me in the way to peace. Since sowing the seeds of God’s peace is a day-to-day process, may I invite to prayer? LORD Make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow * LOVE * Where there is injury * PARDON * Where there is doubt * FAITH * Where there is despair * HOPE * Where there is darkness * LIGHT * And where there is sadness, * JOY * O DIVINE MASTER, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love; for it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. (St. Francis of Assisi). By Sister Maria Guadalupe Herrera, R.S.M., Ph.D., is the Director of the Office of Religious Education for Children, Diocese of Laredo. |
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| Feature Stories |
| A Different Kind of ‘PADRE’ |
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He calls himself an unabashed Chicano priest. |
Guest Columnist |
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How amazing God is! Today I am asked to reflect on peace. |
| From the Bishop |
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| From the Editor |
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I didn’t put two and two together until I saw his face. It all came back to me very quickly. |
Cover Story |
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You cannot be a peacemaker until you are at peace with yourself and with our Lord |
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Diocese of Laredo |
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