The second week of Advent is the candle of peace. This candle reminds us that the angels declared "peace on earth" at the birth of Jesus. Jesus offers us inner peace and peace with others. We can know and experience peace today only through the life of Jesus Christ.

Daily we are offered the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and peace is a grace many of us could use as we are bombarded with the stressors of work and life. By slowing down, reaching out to God, and placing one's self in quiet moments with the Lord, one can truly live in Christ's peace each day. As the Advent season draws to an end, one should think about how hope, faith, and joy can lead one deeper into Christ's peace which is most present when Christ is physically present. This presence is perfectly symbolized in the upcoming Christmas celebrations, but Christ's presence is experienced at any Mass or in any Catholic Church. The Eucharist is the best dispenser of these graces, and we need only reach out to secure them.

We invite you to pray about the virtue of peace with these scripture passages and accompanying reflection questions:

• Micah 5:1-4a

Do we place ourselves in Christ's peace voluntarily? Or does he find us?

• Hebrews 10:5-10

Think of ways that you can model Christ's sacrifice in your life like doing the chores of someone in your family, buying coffee for a friend, taking extra time to listen, and being patient with someone, etc.

• Luke 1:39-45

Do we model Mary in believing and trusting in God's will for our lives?