Sunday, May 25

By Becky Savage, First Presidency

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.”

—John 14:15–17 NRSV

In July 2012, 150 women gathered for the first Women Leaders Conference in the mountains above San Pedro Sula, Honduras. They came from small villages and large cities, from Honduras, Nicaragua, and El Salvador. They ranged from teenagers to women in their 80s. There were single women, mothers, and professionals. It was a remarkable group of dedicated and gifted women.

Several younger women danced to the theme song played and sung by a band specially formed for the conference. The planners spent months designing decorations and ordering supplies, chairs, tables, water, and food. They brought everything onto the rented grounds to prepare the place for the women.

The preparations made the place look wonderful. The planners converted a large pavilion into a sanctuary filled with butterflies. Butterflies were on the banner, tables, pillars, hanging mobiles, and two centering posters.

As guest minister, I was dependent on simultaneous translations by Geri Macias. When translations are needed, there is greater complexity, leaving only half the time for effective ministry.

When Geri and I arrived, we walked into the pavilion filled with joyful women and a powerful Spirit of love and gracious peace. The Holy Spirit’s abiding presence enhanced the experience. Each woman left with a butterfly, taken from the centering posters, to symbolize God’s continuing presence in their lives and ministries. The Holy Spirit continues with each one of us.

Prayer for Peace Ever-present God who abides in us, help us be aware of your transforming presence. Help us be aware of opportunities to share Christ’s peace.

Spiritual Practice: The International Community Find (or imagine) a globe or map of the world. Look at all the nations and find a country other than your own. Notice the geographic distance between your homeland and this one. Picture a person living there. Pray for this person. Sense God’s love connecting you just as the oceans connect the continents. Thank God for the spiritual connection you have with all of God’s people around the globe. Ask a blessing on the church as a community sharing Christ’s peace, drawing all into the family of God.

Peace Covenant Today, God, I will smile at a stranger, an action that translates into any language.