This is what it means to be a breach attached to the true vine. Few of us, unless directly involved in the Church s missionary and political activity, have contact with such front line extremes. No, our fight for peace and our quest for peace occur in the immediate environment the home, the parish, the religious community, and above all, the heart. Unless a man or woman has peace in their hearts, unless they are living examples of peace, all social action towards peace is destined to failure. These are real enemies, these are what sever us from the vine, and stop the divine flow of grace that comes forth only from the true vine that is Christ.
Peace demands growth, and growth takes work both individually and communality.
These pious little books made clear to the aspiring novice that the biggest battles that would be faced were those that arose from within oneself. I m sure the same petty infractions against peace of which these manuals speak occur in the home and workplace as often as they do in a religious house. Don t listen to conversations behind closed doors, especially when they might be about you. Don t wear your anger on your sleeve by manifestations of violence to inanimate objects. Haven t well all taken our anger out on the furniture or the china, in hopes of getting some attention.