Here is part of today’s New Testament reading, from Ephesians: ‘I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace’.

Peace is the Benedictine motto. Here is a text from the Prologue: ‘And the Lord, seeking his workman among the multitudes to whom he thus crieth, saith again: What man is he that desireth life and would fain see good days? And if hearing him thou answer, “I am he,” God saith to thee: If thou wilt have true and everlasting life, keep thy tongue from evil and thy lips that they speak no guile. Turn away from evil and do good; seek after peace and pursue it. And when you have done these things, my eyes will be upon you and my ears open unto your prayers. And before you call upon me, I shall say to you, “Lo, here I am.” What can be sweeter to us, dearest brethren, than this voice of our Lord inviting us? Behold in his loving mercy the Lord showeth us the way of life’.

The quotation is from Psalm 24, showing us also St Benedict’s love of Sacred Scripture.

May we seek God’s way of peace, in our own inmost hearts, in our daily lives, and in our world. May God bless you.