2022 Week 48 Filipino Value Focus: PEAC E

St. Augustine is considered to be the most significant Christian thinker after St. Paul. He is known as the father of the church for defending the Christian faith from the attacks of the Greek’s pagan culture and philosophy. As a young man, he studied the different schools of thought and engaged in immoral relationships with women. Yet, such endeavors have not satis3ied the longings of his heart for truth and peace. When Augustine was in his 40s, and still dealing with the pangs of lust and human desires, he finally cried out to God for help. In one of his prayers, he says, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds its rests in you.”

A lot of people, in all walks of life, long and clamor for peace. They want to have and experience peace in their relationships, workplace, and at home. The citizens of the nations desire national and world peace, which to them, the halt of struggles and wars. Peace, as with all virtues, starts in oneself before it would be experienced by the family, community, and humanity. In man’s sinful condition though, he is an enemy to God. Christ’s sacrifice, however, paved the way for the restoration of the relationship of peace with God. Thus, peace is obtained by receiving from “the Prince of Peace”, Jesus Christ. He says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest”. Truly, “our heart is restless until it 3inds its rest in him.”

A Hebrew word that embodies peace is shalom. It is used as both a greeting and farewell. Peace, however, does not only mean the absence of quarrel and trouble, it also means “success, completeness, and welfare.” The Scripture on Shalom says, “Peace and prosperity be with you, and success to all who help you, for your God is the one who helps you”. Shalom is holistic, it pertains to economic and societal prosperity and success, and to an individual’s welfare and completeness. Shalom is possible in your life, family, and workplace as Jesus Christ becomes the Lord in each of the said spheres. Shalom!

ACTION PLAN

1. Resolve to be at peace with yourself, your neighbor, your co-worker and loved ones today. Identify things that caused you to lose peace in all areas of life and avoid them.
   
2. In the workplace, approach a co-worker whom you don’t have a good relationship with. Initiate the peace-making process. Do this to your estranged neighbors as well.

DECLARATION

We are peace-loving people. Everywhere we go, we bring the atmosphere of peace. We make peace with nature, our families, neighbors, and co-employees. We endeavor to bring peace in the midst of strife and misunderstanding. As channels of peace, we make sure that we are at peace with our own selves by making our conscience clear and trusting the sovereign God who keeps watch over us.​

​PRAYER

Lord, allow us to 5ind peace that transcends all understanding in You. When we find that peace, make us the channel of that peace to other people. Everywhere we go, allow us to be the carrier of Your comfort to the grieving, rest to the suffering and peace to those who are restless. In our workplace, make peace the administrator and righteousness the supervisor. These, in Lord Jesus’ mighty Name, amen.​

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