FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK. A CALL TO SERENITY AND INTERIOR PEACE
In this period of national elections, we all experience tensions and anxieties as we watch the progress of the electoral results. It is normal to feel so, because of the love we attach to our nation and its future.
As children of God and fellow citizens, we all share the same aspirations to live in a prosperous and peaceful nation. We place our trust in God who has summoned us together as a nation. As tensions and anxieties rise in us, we are called to turn to the positive power inherent in us and to the power that upholds the universe. We make recourse to prayer for our personal wellbeing and the health and safety of our fellow citizens directly involved in the elections progress.
I would like to propose to you the following slightly modified prayer composed by Reinhold Neibuhr , 1892-1971:
The Serenity Prayer God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; Courage to change the things I can; And wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; Taking, as Jesus did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that He will make all things right If I surrender to His Will; So that I may be reasonably happy in this life And supremely happy with God Forever and ever in the next. Amen.
In order to draw grace from the prayer, I would suggest that you take a relaxed position, breath in and out a couple of times and then begin saying the prayer. You may repeat the prayer as many times as you need during the day.
May the grace and peace of Our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Fr. Benoit