Peace

 

In Matthew’s gospel, Jesus says to us: "Do not think that I have come to bring peace upon the earth.  I have come to bring not peace but the sword."  (Matthew 10:34-11:1)

PEACE.  It doesn’t mean to be in a place where there’s no noise, trouble or hard work.  It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.

I remember one time when I was especially frantic and worried for tomorrow.  There were problems at work, at home, and in the world.  I finally threw my hands in the air and announced to whoever would listen that I was taking off for the day, and that I would not be able to be reached.  Then I got in my car and drove with no particular destination in mind.  Somehow, I ended up in a secluded grove of trees next to a beautiful lake with no one around but the birds singing a melodious tune.  It was almost “Disneyesque”.   Then I prayed my Rosary.  All of my worries and anxieties and problems melted into the scene.  I thought to myself, “It just doesn’t get any better than this!”  I was at peace. 

When we’re in peaceful situations, it’s easy to feel, to sense, to exude peace.  Of course, Jesus brings us His peace in His own way, which so often surprises and baffles us.  He gives us peace, when, after reflecting on a family or community disagreement, we have the courage to ask for forgiveness.  God gives us peace when we reflect upon the lives of the prophets and how they persevered in getting God’s word across to the people: "Peace, peace, they say, though there is no peace". (Jeremiah 6:14)

Jesus’ peace is many faceted, giving us consolation in the midst of mourning, challenging us to confront injustice.  It’s the peace we long for, not only for ourselves and for our own, but for whole nations, especially the Middle East and most other ‘third world’ countries.  It’s the peace that the Hebrew people, experiencing their cruel slavery in Egypt longed for (Exodus 1:8-22).

May the peace of Christ fill our being.  May we be channels of peace to others.