Christian Reflection and Prayer

Peace, peace, to those far and near,”
      says the LORD. “And I will heal them.”
Isaiah 57:19

 It’s easier to make peace with those far from us first,
and then turn to those closer to us.

Some of us carry around decades of resentment
toward the people closest to us, but can we overlook
a slight by a stranger? God is telling us to start by
making peace with those far from us – with the person
who cut you off on your morning drive, the rude cashier,
the irritable coworker. We can start by making peace
with those who are distant from us and next considering
those closest to us. With God’s help and healing, we
then will see peace in the world.

With prayers for shalom, peace,

(excerps from Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein)