Are You At Peace?

Are you at peace in the sight of Christ?

Am I at peace in the sight of Christ? I remember one time; we had adoration as part of our parish mission. At one point the deacon walked all around the church with the Blessed Sacrament. As Jesus approached me I was filled with an incredible peace. As he moved away, I realized that no matter where he was in the church, I still could feel his gaze. Jesus was watching me from wherever he was in the church, kind of like saying, “I see you and I love you.”

What we await are new heavens and a new earth where, according to his promise, the justice of God will reside. So, beloved, while waiting for this, make every effort to be found without stain or defilement, and at peace in his sight. Consider that our Lord’s patience is directed toward salvation. 2 Peter 3:13-15

Peter, today in the reading is reminding the early Christians that we await a new heaven and a new earth where the justice of God will reside. It is the promise of everlasting life, an eternity in the presence of the God who made us and loves us so dearly. However, just like that awkward feeling we have when we encounter someone we may have wronged, we will not be ready for that day in the new heaven. Our hope and our desire then is to be in that place that Jesus promises for those who love him.

Peter, then, goes on to tell us that while we are waiting for that eternity we need to make every effort to be without stain or defilement. How do we do this? Reconciliation is a good start. Reading the Bible along with time in adoration and prayer, will both help to remove our stains and order our lives closer to Christ.

Maybe we feel at peace in church or adoration, how about work? Or our homes? Our journey toward salvation is one where we ever more feel the peace of Christ, more and more. If we pass on not fully in that peace we will continue that journey in Purgatory. Are you at peace in his sight? If not, it is OK because as Peter tells us, the Lord’s patience is directed toward salvation.