Wishing you Peace in 2026

From Safari…

My faith journey found me on loan to Crookston Diocese (or was I traded for two priest, undisclosed cash and a future number one pick) 40 years ago. I was assigned to

Sacred Heart parish in East Grand Forks, as associate pastor (in today’s jargon Parochial Victor),

One of my duties was a part time teacher in the parish high school. Sr. Basil, the principal, had a strict dress code. One item on the do not wear list was blue jeans. She always commented that clothing influenced the students behavior. Sr. Basil, however, was flexible. Every so often there would be blue jeans day. And true to form the students were more energetic.

Clothing can define us and affect our behavior. No matter the clothing we wear, our spiritual clothing should be the same. Spiritual clothing you ask? The writer of Colossians urges us to wear a different kind of clothing. A clothing washed in the waters of baptism, we are to put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness and over all love.

How great it would be if these qualities were second nature to us. But the reality is that we need to make a conscious choice to take those qualities. Compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience and forgiveness demonstrate how a Christian is to deal with others. These virtues move us away from our own selfish interests to putting ourselves at the service of our neighbors.

Love for the writer surpasses everything else. Love is the bond of perfection. For us Christians love is to be willed and never entered into merely through emotions. Love is the glue that binds, whether that is a family or a parish. Flowing from this love is peace. Biblically peace is about relationships --- our relationship with God, our relationship with each other. The writer encourages us to let the peace of Christ control our hearts. In other words to let our relationship with God to guide our every action.

Today’s feast of the Holy Family draws our attention to family life. Like the Holy Family, families today are challenged by society. The demands on time for jobs and activities take away from bonding time. Mealtimes can become more eat and dash than sit down and converse. Times of prayer, especially the Mass are taken by events or just the need to have a quiet day or sleep.

It is through the Mass that we can find the means to put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and forgiveness. In the Eucharist we discover real love. And true peace. As the writer of Colossians remarks – let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, with gratitude in your hearts to God.

Or as another writer, Patti Normile remarks: As you dress, recall the images of scripture. First we put on underwear which is humility. Then, our socks of meekness. Shoes can represent patience. A shirt of mercy and some slacks of kindness. A coat or sweater of forgiveness finish off a fine outfit. With peace in our hearts we bring God’s love to all we encounter.

To one and all, may God’s peace fill your heart throughout 2026.

On a personal note thank you for the prayers during my recent bowel blockage. Also thank you for Christmas Cards and gifts. I am deeply touched by your kindness and love.

Fr. Ron