These were the first words of our new Pope Leo. They show us one of his top priorities. He wants to be a peacemaker. His appearance reflects a man who is at peace with himself.
How does he nurture peace within himself? Is striving for peace part of his spiritual practice? He has shared that in the morning he reflects on three movements: silence, thankfulness and a challenge that he hopes to accomplish during his day.
The second movement is to give thanks for today’s blessings and all of the blessings he has received in his life. This includes the people God has put in his life and all of God’s creation.
The third movement is to listen for a person or situation that God wants him to come to peace with. He is called to take action to speak to that person or perform some act of reconciliation acknowledging his own limitations and relying on the peace that God brings.
These are wonderful ways to enhance your prayer life.
- Have you already incorporated one of these movements in your prayer life?
- Is God calling you to reflect on how you start your day?
- Would you like to bring one or more of these movements into your daily practice?
O God, thank you for the ways Pope Leo is beginning to touch my life.