peace / good will

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. - Lk 2:14

Today the NAB has:

Glory to God in the highest
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.

I have been meditating on the relationship between peace and good will. One can have good will without being in peace. Certainly one can have good will without being in a time or place of peace.

For good will to be effective, it must be reciprocated. That, in and of itself, is peace; the sharing of good will.

I find that, as I age, peace becomes more important; and more elusive.

I find it unhealthy not to be always seeking peace.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love.

Where there is injury, pardon.

Where there is doubt, faith.

Where there is despair, hope.

Where there is sadness, joy.

Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;

To be understood, as to understand;

To be loved, as to love;

For it is in giving that we receive,

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned.

It is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

- Although the authorship of this prayer, first printed in the early 20th century, remains unclear, it has traditionally been attributed to St. Francis of Assisi.