This Ignatian Life

“Peace be with you,” he says. (Lk 24, 36)

And I think of the woman who came for domestic violence counseling last week, and the rumor that the next day her husband was sharpening his machete to chop off her head.

“Peace be with you,” he repeats.  (Jn 20, 19)

What about the refugees arriving here from Sri Lanka, flung halfway around the world like shrapnel from the explosion of war in their country? 

“Peace be with you,” again!  (Jn 20, 21)

I don’t get it, Jesus!  Drugs, corruption, swine flu!  Hunger!  And that’s all you can say? 

Why don’t you do something?!

“Peace be with you,” still… (Jn 20, 26)

I reach a point where my mind breaks down. 

And finally my heart can accept what he so insistently offers. 

And I am brought to a cool stream, and I can breathe again.  

And I can love, and I can give.  

Photo: “Peace Be With You” by Anna Gay from Flickr (Used under Creative Commons license)

No related posts.