The Search for Peace

Dearest Ones,

What is it we are all looking for? Isn't it inner peace? Just what is peace? Peace is more than not having any problems because we will always have problems, but how do we stay on top of the problems and not let them wreck us. When all around us people are fighting, storms are raging, the people we work with are arguing, is it still possible to have the peace of Christ?

After reading about Edgar O'Hare and how he finally found peace in his life, I'd like to share his story. Edgar, also known as "Easy Eddie," was a lawyer in the 1930's for Al Capone, a notorious gangster. Easy Eddie was smart and a very good lawyer - in fact, he managed to keep Capone out of jail many times. Capone paid him well, so Eddie was never hurting for money. He even owned a house in Chicago that took up an entire city block!

Eddie was divorced and had an 11-year old son, Butch, living with him. He loved his son and gave him all the best things while he was growing up: clothes, cars, a good education, etc. But he could see that his son was becoming very lazy and lived without any real goals. One thing Eddie couldn't give him was a good name and a good example. His son had too much handed to him, so Eddie decided to send Butch away to a military school with strict discipline.

As time went on, Easy Eddie felt no inner peace. He knew what he was doing was wrong, so he decided to tell the police about Al Capone and was instrumental in having him put in jail. He knew this may cost him his life, but he had to do it. Within the year, he was shot and killed on a lonely street in Chicago.

Meanwhile, his son, Butch, graduated from military school, became a pilot, joined the Air Force and fought in WW 11. He was assigned to an aircraft carrier in the Pacific. While flying with a squadron he suddenly noticed his fuel gauge was close to empty. He had to get back to his ship and refuel.

As he was returning to his mother ship, he could see a squadron of Japanese planes heading toward the fleet to attack. With the fighter planes gone, the fleet was almost defenseless. He felt the only thing to do was to distract them. Single-handedly, he dove into the formation of Jap planes and attacked them. American fighter planes were rigged with cameras, so that as they flew, pictures were taken so pilots could learn more. Butch dove at them and shot until all his ammunition was gone, then he would dive and try to clip off a wing or tail in order to make the enemy planes unfit to fly. Finally, the Jap planes took off in another direction and Butch O'Hare limped back to the carrier. Through his courageous efforts, he had saved the lives of a great many American soldiers. The camera proved this.

He was recognized as a hero and given one of the nation's highest military honors and as you may know, O'HARE AIRPORT in Chicago was also named after him. This all happened because Easy Eddie, Butch's father, was searching for inner peace. In fact, he risked his life searching for it.

In his letter to the Philippians Paul says to not worry about anything, but "In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Some people say, "If I could get rid of all my problems, then I would have peace." Do you think that is the answer? I believe Jesus is the secret to inner peace. With Jesus, it is possible to have peace, regardless of the storms raging around us. As Jesus was leaving this earth, His farewell gift was peace: "My peace I leave with you!" He said. What better gift could He give?

In God's peace,
Sister Francelle