Resolution of Peace
If you chose this year not to make a New Year Resolution, it isn’t too late. In fact, I may have found some inspiration for you this year. We cannot deny the world is filled with chaos and frantic souls searching for meaning in life. Money doesn’t comfort. Material comfort doesn’t soothe. We are all searching for inner peace.
“Acquire the Spirit of Peace and a thousand souls around you will be saved.” This saying is attributed to Saint Seraphim of Sarov, who conveniently is commemorated today. It is almost as if the Church knew we needed help framing our goals for the new year. Take a few moments and read the brief description of his life in Christ. The ideal of inner peace goes a long way when taken in combination with the advice from Saint Paul today.
BRETHREN, one does not take the honor upon himself, but he is called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, “Thou art my Son, today I have begotten thee”; as he says also in another place, “Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedek.” In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard for his godly fear. Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; and being made perfect he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 5.4-10
Amidst the chaos of our world, many of us search for meaning by acquiring honor from others. Like wealth and material comfort, honor from others fails to provide us with the peace we desire. Instead of being thankful for the honor, we are anxious that at any moment, we will be dishonored by our shortcomings and mistakes.
Saint Seraphim kept moving away from people to find the peace that comes from God. It was his inner peace that kept drawing attention. It was His love for God that kept drawing the great saint into seclusion. It was God who kept sending him back to people, to inspire others to search for the peace of God.
Resolve this year to find inner peace rather than wealth and comfort. Resolve to be at peace with others, no matter what their disposition toward you is. If the history of the saints teaches us anything, it teaches that the closer we get to God, the more people will fight against us.
Most importantly resolve to seek inner peace in every situation. Inner peace is different than worldly peace. I like to think of worldly peace as the so-called peace that exists between nations. It is only enforced by the presence of military balance. Once the military balance is broken, so is the peace. Worldly peace doesn’t inspire anyone. Seek inner peace, and let God handle the rest.
