What gives us peace? What keeps our hearts from being troubled or afraid?

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you ...

Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.

(John 14:27)

What gives us peace? What keeps our hearts from being troubled or afraid?

One answer that touches me I heard from a lovely older woman named Betty.

It was in a summer program class I was teaching at Notre Dame,

and we were talking about dealing with troubles in life: difficulties,

challenges, losses. Betty shared with us a process that really helped her.

She said, "Someone once taught me this secret: "When we are sad, in pain,

very worried about something, ask: 'Could this be labor?' And then,

instead of fighting the pain or sadness or fear, give in to it, letting it take you

to the birthing. Surrendering to the birthing brings with it hope,

a trust that some new life it coming to your soul, is coming to the world."

Mothering God, source of life for all of us, help us trust that when we are troubled and afraid, you are with us helping us give birth to life.

Patricia Livingston

A Prayer from Merton

My Lord God,

I have no idea where I am going.

I do not see the road ahead of me.

I cannot know for certain where it will end.

Nor do I really know myself,

and the fact that I think I am following your will

does not mean that I am actually doing so.

But I believe that the desire to please you

does in fact please you.

And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.

I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.

And I know that if I do this,

You will lead me by the right road,

though I may know nothing about it.

Therefore will I trust you always

though I may seem lost in the shadow of death.

I will not fear, for you are ever with me,

and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.

Thomas Merton

Morning Prayer

Gracious God, thank You for the gift of today.

Refresh me … Invite me …

to discover Your presence in each person that I meet

and every event encountered.

Teach me when to speak and when to listen

when to ponder and when to share.

In moments of challenge and decision

attune my heart

to the whisperings of Your Wisdom.

As I undertake ordinary and unnoticed tasks,

gift me with simple joy.

When the day goes well, may I rejoice!

When it grows difficult

surprise me with new possibilities.

When life is overwhelming, call me to Sabbath moments

to restore Your Peace and Harmony.

May my living today reveal Your goodness. Amen.

Author Unknown

A Prayerful Reflection

Do not let your hearts be troubled. John 14:1

Do you remember the situation in which Jesus urged

his disciples to not let their hearts be troubled?

It was shortly before the worst experience of their lives:

witnessing the Passion and death of their beloved leader and friend.

This same message is offered to us in our times of trial

and tribulation. This does not mean that feelings of anxiety

and dread will cease to arise in us if we have faith in Jesus' words.

Rather, when we take his message to heart, we do not let

these feelings get the best of us. We keep turning toward

our Friend with confidence, trusting that we will have strength

to endure and make it through the rocky terrain of our troubles.

Dear Friend of my Heart, when I am troubled,

draw me to you. Remind me that you are near.

Sr. Joyce Rupp, O.S.M.