Canada Day
The apostle Peter wrote,
"Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us." 1 Peter 2:11,12.
Today is Canada day. The day Canada in 1867 gained its independence from England. A day when Canadians celebrate. And while I celebrate with them I am an alien in Canada. I was born elsewhere in the world. I have however for over fifty plus years chose to live in Canada which in my opinion is one of the best countries in the world.
Being an alien means I must obey the laws of Canada and live at peace. Thus I can understand what the apostle Peter wrote to Christians.
As Christians we are called to abstain from sinful desires, live good lives, perform good deeds. That those around us may see them and give God the glory.
Francis of Assisi wrote,
"The deeds you do
may be the only sermon some persons will hear today"
Francis of Assisi.
As believers and servants of our Lord Jesus Christ we need to, in word, and deed, do our best to represent God in the best possible light.
We need I believe not only to listen to the words of the apostle Peter, but consider putting the words of the Prayer of St. Francis into practice that states,
“Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love,
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved, as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.”
Francis of Assisi
Please think about it.
