Find Peace in the New Year

The secret to peace on earth starts at home, in the daily give-and-take of our relationships. Barbara Heil unpacks the radical power of forgiveness to give us peace, to bless others, and to open our hearts to all God wants to give us. Listen for practical ways to recognize and let go of unforgiveness and enter the new year with a clean slate.

Barbara Heil is a former protestant minister who converted to Catholicism in 2013. She serves as a missionary evangelist and with her husband, Jeff, shares the Gospel throughout the world. Read her reflections on “Listening for the Voice of God”, “Prayer as Conversation with God”, and “Singing from the Heart” in the Living the Word Catholic Women’s Bible. Learn more about her ministry and upcoming missions at From His Heart.

Take Scripture from This Episode to Your Next Holy Hour

Pray: Come, Holy Spirit, open my heart and mind to hear your word today.

Read the Word: Mark 11:25; Luke 6:35–38

(Read from your own Bible to get the context, and so you can make notes)

”…whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against any one; so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” (Mark 11:25)

”…love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for HE is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.  “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap.”  (Luke 6:35–38)

Ponder the Word: Read several times, lingering where it touches your heart. What catches your attention? What do you hear the Lord saying to you?

Pray with the Word: Bring to the Lord what you have heard, and talk to him about it. Ask for his grace. Thank him for his loving care.

Live the Word: How does what you read touch your life? What can you do this week to put it into practice?