By Sister Meredith, O.C.D.
“From the days of John the Baptist until now, the Kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent are taking it by force.”
Before I came to faith in Jesus Christ, it seemed on the surface, I had it all together. I had a promising career, stable and loving relationships, and a five-, 10-, 20-year plan. I had it all figured out. It looked suspiciously good from the outside, and indeed, it was just a façade for I was very insecure within. Looking back, I liken myself to a speed boat without a rudder, vulnerable to the crashing waves around me. I didn’t know Jesus, that He came to save me, and that He died out of love for me.
Without this knowledge, my mind was swayed to and fro by the messages constantly fed to me by social media, the news, and the latest fads. These external pressures wreaked havoc in my soul, violently taking away my peace and well-being. Who was I to believe? Is this all there is to life?
All this changed when a friend introduced me back to fully living my Catholic faith. Coming to know Jesus Christ, my savior, redeemer and friend, brought a peace that the world could neither give nor take away.
St. Elizabeth of the Trinity once said,“It seems to me that I have found my heaven on earth, because my heaven is You my God, and You are in my soul. You in me, and I in You, may this be my motto.”
By the grace of your baptism, heaven lives within you. He comes when you call for Him wherever you are. He comes in the Holy Eucharist. He will come again on that glorious Christmas day. When we gaze upon the Christ Child in the manger, let us recall that His birth has ushered in the kingdom of heaven where peace can no longer be taken away.
