Dear Friars and Friends,

I think it helps and it is good to remember that this Prince of Peace and King of Kings who is truly our all powerful Savior and Friend comes to us as a helpless and hungry child of poor and chaste parents, and later, riding on a donkey into Jerusalem, and that all of His power to save us in love and for love comes, not from physical might, but from His humble and obedient offering of Himself, in love, to His Father and ours. He is truly our Peace.

Last night I was struck by the prayer in the Night Prayer of the Church: “May the all powerful God grant us a quiet night and a restful sleep”. Our poor bodies and psyches are so wired at the end of a day that it takes our powerful God to calm us into sleep. Like a Mother who rocks and soothes her baby to sleep in her arms – gentleness is the greatest of all strengths. That “harbor” of peaceful and restful sleep so recommended by St. Teresa of Avila is a gift we all must pray for - for all men of good will. And for all men who do not yet know God’s good will – may they soon possess it.