(Ephesians 4:25-32/RB 4:72-73)
What stands out for me today is Prayer as a stepping stone to Reconciliation – perhaps the first step and many steps in between during the process of reconciling. This word “prayer” has so many facets as I think about my own journey. The Ephesians reading grounds reconciliation in the truth, spoken in loving kindness. For me, speaking the truth seems contrary to reconciliation when I come from the “peace at all costs” lens that I grew up with – But this peace, in my experience, is not usually the peace of Christ but some temporary, artificial lull in the action. Lately, I find myself more in turmoil and irreconciliable differences when I find the courage to speak the truth in love, even when I come to it through a process of prayer. I do recognize a different sort of peace at these times – a calming presence within that allows me to breathe – even though the external world around me might be spinning. Could this experience be the “peace of Christ”? There are times when I feel this is so.
Walking with Benedict 
I am struck by the line in Scripture that says ” Do not grieve the Holy Spirirt of God, whith which you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption.” I had never thought of grieving the Holy Spirit, it always semmed that I was to rejoice in the Spirit. And so as I pondered this I became aware of how Jesus did not grieve when he died on the cross, rather he was at peace when he reconciled the world. So to for me while I might find it uncomfortable to forgive & take my challenges to another so we can reconcile…in the end all the anxiety & stepping out in peace is done in the Spirit. So the Spirit which helped lead me to & through this reconciliation event with another, does indeed bring peace to me and the world. One less person frustrated or angry or uneasy who has stopped producing un-peace into the existence of the world. And so I am a peace & calmed energy & isn’t this what Jesus is all about? BE the peace of Christ… and I can only be this peace by being in union with Christ…so I must reconcile my doubts & fears with God too!
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