14 day plan

The Desire for Peace

Day 11 of 14

NIV

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torment will ever touch them.  In the eyes of the foolish they seemed to have died, and their departure was thought to be an affliction, and their going from us to be their destruction; but they are at peace. For though in the sight of men they were punished, their hope is full of immortality.  Having been disciplined a little, they will receive great good, because God tested them and found them worthy of himself; like gold in the furnace, he tried them, and like a sacrificial burnt offering he accepted them.  In the time of their visitation, they will shine forth and will run like sparks through the stubble.  They will govern nations and rule over peoples, and the Lord will reign over them forever.  Wisdom 3:1-8* (NRSV)

Reflection:

HMAS Canberra’s (III) company committed to the sea the ashes of Leading Seaman Cook Walter Oliver, who died this year. Born in 1921, he served in the RAN from 1938 to 1951. On August 9, 1942, he survived an attack on his ship, HMAS Canberra (I), by Japanese aircraft in Savo. Canberra I and 84 shipmates did not survive that frightful day. Why do people like Walter risk their lives, endure so much fear and danger – even give their lives? Is it a waste of effort and life? Is it all in vain? No, says the Wisdom of God.  Dying for one’s friends, dying for a noble and righteous cause, such as liberty in the face of threatening tyranny and godlessness, finds a reward more precious than gold or silver that even a powerful King as Solomon valued more than wealth or health. Eternal life and Peace.

Do we appreciate and proclaim loudly enough God’s wisdom as much as we might ideological, economic, political, philosophical and scientific wisdom?

At the time of writing, Senior Chaplain Paul Stuart was the Coordinator Chaplain for the Fleet at Sea in the Landing Helicopter Dock, HMAS Canberra. Paul is a Catholic priest and had been in the Navy for 15 years.

Prayer:

Lord, referring to God’s wisdom in the feminine as “she,” your holy Scriptures lead us to seek her and treasure her as God’s precious gift, more valuable than gold or silver, better proved than anything tested, and second only to the greatest of your gifts, your Son, Jesus Christ. His life, death and resurrection give us a lifeline into yours, and casts away evil and suffering. Through the same Christ, our Lord, Amen.

Days

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