Day 2 – Novena of Peace 2013: Love

Where there is hatred, let me sow love

Hatred is such a strong word. We can easily identify hatred out there but rarely do we sense it in here, in our own hearts. couple arguingYet hatred doesn’t spring forth whole in its easily identifiable ugly ways. It begins as small frustrations, angers, and resentments that are held, fed, and nurtured. Hatred then grows in a soil that presumes they are not like me.

To sow love instead of hate follow Mother Teresa’s example and begin small. Blessed Mother Teresa is one of the best modern day examples of seeing God (Love) in small things and she said the following about love:

  • It is easy to love people far away. It is not always easy to love those close to us. It is easier to give a cup of rice to relieve hunger than to relieve the loneliness and pain of someone unloved in our home. Bring love into your home for this is where love for each other must start.
  • If we have no peace it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.
  • We can do no great things; only small things with great love.140303236

Small acts of kindness sow love and reverberate well beyond the person receiving them. Start small and start at home because the vibrations that reverberate from anger, frustration, and resentment will resonate through the generations.

Choosing love is choosing peace.

What act of kindness will I choose today?

134028095More questions for reflection are available with the novena prayers. Today Susan Boyle and Juan Loren Zerimar sing the Prayer of St. Francis with the Magnificat (sorry about the ad but it’s a beautiful version). Links open in another window.