This weeks blog is from Sr Susan De Guide who works for Veritas. If any of you would like to share a blog with us please contact us at Veritas.   We have not had a Christmas without war going on somewhere in the world in the lifetime of our students. America has been actively engaged in combat now for over twenty years, beginning with our involvement in Kuwait. What does this mean and how does this affect our students who have had this as the backdrop for their entire lives? Professionals who deal with trauma tell us that we have to listen and make space to hear the feelings and thoughts of our students, while keeping them grounded in the hope that our faith offers. Science tells us that out of chaos comes new life; our Christian faith reassures us that out of death comes resurrection. Jesus came into this world in the middle of great chaos in his home country. It had been invaded and conquered by Rome and was under Roman law, which was completely different from Jewish law and religion. Jesus, however, managed at the same time to cross all kind of borders and boundaries to share the love of his Father with them: Roman soldiers, the Samaritan woman, tax collectors, single women, the demoniacs living in the tombs, those with leprosy and other “unclean” diseases. Boundaries never stopped Jesus and his mission of love and mercy. He became a friend to all. In light of the horrific tragedies in Beirut and Paris, and the downing of the Russian airliner, is there something we could do to cross boundaries in friendship with persons from the Muslin community and also the Middle Eastern Catholic/Christian communities that are living as our neighbors all across our country? Would it be too bold to take on the stance of Jesus and perhaps find ways to get to know these neighbors—to cross some borders and boundaries?  Fear is broken down with understanding, and understanding can lead to love—to God. May we, in large and small ways, find peace this Christmas in our own hearts, our families and our world.