God’s nature is peace and love
Dear Friends,
When my grandson was two, he was competing with his older four-year-old sister to see who could learn the Baltimore Catechism. His mom asks the question: Who made the world? Older sister answers: “God” and Walter echoes: “God.” Who is God? Sister responds: “God is the creator of heaven and earth and all things.” Little Walter repeats: “earth and all things.” What is man? Sister says: “Man is composed of body and soul and made in God’s image.” Walter manages: “body and soul.” Finally: Why did God make you? Sister parrots: “God made me to know Him, to serve Him in this world and to be happy with Him forever in heaven.” Walter thinks hard, stares at Mom, she prompts him: Why did God make you, Walter? More silence, finally Walter says, “uhmmmmmmmm fun.”
Love comes from the Father through the Son, who reveals that love on earth, in the flesh, and on the cross. The Spirit carries that love to us, to lead us back to the Father, because of the love of the Son. God created us so we can share in the joy of God’s own life and reflect his love for one another in community. In my grandson’s language, we were created for the sheer fun and joy that only God’s love can give.
Paul reminds us that God dispenses grace through Jesus, love through God the Father, and a special communion through the Holy Spirit. God’s nature is peace and love. God’s goal for us is that we live together in a peaceful, loving community. In Matthew’s gospel, Jesus appears to his disciples and promises he will be with them, so go make disciples, and baptize them. Notice he doesn’t say, he’ll solve all their problems. He says he will give them hope that they are not alone. Jesus says, remember I am with you, to the end. We have a God-given purpose; that’s how we know God loves us.
In the last verses of his letter to the Philippians, Paul prays for the peace of God to guard our hearts and minds in the love of Christ. As we end 2025, join me in giving thanks for the good and not so good of this past year.
My New Year’s wish for all our wonderful parishes in the Diocese is that God’s peace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus’ love will travel with us into 2026. As the angel told the shepherds: “Glory to God in the heavenly heights and Peace to all who please him.” May your home and heart be filled with God’s peace that surpasses understanding, bringing calm and joy.
May God bless and keep you safe, and as always, I hope I see you somewhere in church.
Blessings,
+G