News of terror and words of peace

The news we hear from around the world can be frightening, especially in these days when wars and conflict seem to be boiling over and threaten to flood the world with terror.

The words of our Lord in today's Gospel (Luke 21:5-11) speak directly to us in this time.

But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions,
be not terrified:
for these things must first come to pass;
but the end is not by and by.

Then said he unto them,
Nation shall rise against nation,
and kingdom against kingdom:
And great earthquakes shall be in divers places,
and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights
and great signs shall there be from heaven.

That which terrifies others should stimulate us to deepen our faith and to place ourselves more firmly in the Lord's hands - no matter what - so that we may not be terrified but rather have peace and confidence through the grace and mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

We do well also to echo the simple words St. Teresa of Avila wrote in her prayer book:

Nada te turbe;
nada te espante;
todo se pasa;
Dios no se muda,
la pacïencia
todo lo alcanza.
Quien a Dios tiene,
nada le falta.
Solo Dios basta.


Let nothing disturb thee,
Nothing affright thee;
All things are passing,
God never changeth!
Patient endurance
attaineth to all things;
Who God possesseth
in nothing is wanting;
Alone God sufficeth.