The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis, Book III Chapter XXV: ”In What Stable Peace of Heart and True Profit Consists” (first entry)

Christ says that humility, meekness, and patience bring peace. This is effected through desiring only Jesus and what pleases Him. Peace is not found when all is going well and consolations abound; rather, “offering yourself with your whole heart to the will of God” with “a perfect contempt of yourself,” whatever comes of it, will lead to the enjoyment of “an abundance of peace.”

|Today’s first reading: Wis 12:13, 16-19

This passage from Wisdom responds to concerns about God’s actions in the Promised Land when Joshua led the Israelites in its brutal takeover. God is master of all things, and can dispose of anything or anyone as He wills. Yet He is merciful and just — model for us in our treatment of others while providing the hope that repentance for our sins is possible.

|Reflection

It is a simple (if not easy) matter of doing unto others as we would have them do to us. It is wise for us to remember a line from that greatest of prayers, the Our Father:

Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.

The Lord tempers justice with mercy toward our many and repeated failings that are much more grievous to Him than anything another person can do to us. We can forgive the small amount others owe us if God can forgive the unfathomable amount we owe Him (see Mt 18:21-35).