Help Peace to Reign

The followers of Christ have been called to peace. … And they must not only have peace but also make it. And to that end they renounce all violence and tumult. In the cause of Christ nothing is to be gained by such methods. … His disciples keep the peace by choosing to endure suffering themselves rather than inflict it on others. They maintain fellowship where others would break it off. They renounce hatred and wrong. In so doing they over-come evil with good, and establish the peace of God in the midst of a world of war and hate. -Dietrich Bonhoeffer 1906-1945
The Cost of Discipleship

Making peace is not always an easy thing to do. Sometimes certain people or certain situations just rub us  wrong. When conflicts arise our first reaction is  usually to fight or flight. In both scenarios the pride of self is initially chosen before anything else. 

Peace demands a mentality and a spirit which, before turning to others, must first permeate him who wishes to bring peace. Peace is first and foremost personal before it is social. And it is precisely this spirit of peace which it is the duty of every true follower of Christ to cultivate. ~John Paull VI

Cultivating peace, like cultivating a garden requires some work. But the fruit of the labor is worth price.

"Dear children, today I call you to pray especially for peace. Dear children, without peace you cannot truly experience the birth of Jesus in your daily lives.

Therefore, pray to the Lord of Peace that he will protect you with his mantle, and that he may help you understand how important it is to have a great peace in your hearts. Having this, you will be able to spread the peace of  your hearts throughout the world.

I am always with you and intercede to God for you. Pray, for Satan wants to destroy  my plan for peace. Be reconciled with each other and, by your lives, help peace to reign over the entire earth."  BVM, Medjugorje, December 25, 1990