St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta was asked: “With all the wars and violence and hatred in this world, how can one contribute to bringing about peace. She simply replied – "Start with your family". I think it means also... let us start with ourselves. We cannot give what we do not have. As one popular hymn goes: “Let there be peace on earth, let it begin with me.”
Everyone is seeking some kind of peace. Let’s face it. The peace we want is peace without a cross – meaning - the peace most of us dream about is the absence of conflict or stress. “If I could just find a job or better job or if I could just live in a better place, I’d be o.k.” “If I could make just ten thousand dollars more a year, I’d be all right.” “If it were not for this one relationship in my life, I’d be happy.” “If my children would only mature and get settled, I think I could relax.” That is peace as the absence of problems or struggles.
Some people even try to purchase peace by buying and taking drugs or by drinking alcohol heavily…because for some people, peace is avoiding trouble, refusing to face unpleasant things, refusing to face reality.
In the Gospel reading - Jesus tells the disciples and is telling us that the peace He gives us is radically different from our understanding or concepts of peace. Jesus said: “My peace I give to you… NOT as the world gives it.”
The peace we want is shallow, easy peace but temporary. The peace of Jesus is a deep, costly peace… through a cross… Jesus shows us that struggle is actually a pre-requisite to knowing his peace. But it does not mean we ask or pray for problems or struggles… Actually, life will bring us troubles and problems.
Christ actually calls us into conflict with the world and still find peace in Him... a different peace, a peace within ourselves, a peace that only comes through union with Jesus… by embracing the Lord and His Way of life and Way of loving… and not the worldly way of living and loving.
Thomas Merton said: We are not at peace with others because we are not at peace with ourselves, and we are not at peace with ourselves because we are not at peace with God.
The peace of Jesus was his peace with God, in spite of everything. The peace Jesus gives us is the peace of reconciliation. The peace of knowing we have been reconciled with God, with others, even with ourselves. It is the kind of peace the world cannot give, the peace the world cannot take away.
The peace Jesus offers - which St. Paul described as the peace which surpasses all understanding (Phil.4:7) – is “shalom” - a Hebrew word which means more than the absence of conflict. Peace as “shalom” is the peace even in the midst of problems and struggles. It is the result of one-ness with Christ, in Christ, through Christ.
In the Scriptures, we discover that Jesus faced - on a daily basis - problems and pressures that were very much like the problems and pressures we face today – including being rejected, denied, abandoned and crucified by the people he loved…yet, somehow, Jesus never became embittered...he continued to be forgiving.
Jesus himself was no stranger to poverty. On one occasion, he said of himself, “Foxes have holes; the birds of the air have nests; but I have no home of my own, no place to lay my head...” and yet Jesus continued to maintain the serenity of his spirit, to be at peace.
Jesus said: “I leave you my peace” You see - Jesus did not leave material possessions to his disciples…. Because material wealth are insignificant compared to the value of true peace. Jesus put it to his disciples like this: “Do not be overly anxious about food or clothing, but seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and these other things will be added unto you as well.”
Some people think they can find peace in wealth, in affluence or having more worldly possessions, but in reality - having more worldly possessions tend to raise, not lower, the stress level… because people become attached to them and so people become afraid and anxious to lose their possessions; that someone would steal their wealth from them.
Jesus’ peace comes also from his disciplined life. He knew what ought to be done, and he did it. Laziness and self-indulgence were simply not his life style…meaning - when we busy ourselves, and when we do something good and useful with our lives, particularly in service of others - we come to the end of the day - tired – exhausted - yes - but at peace.
To be at peace means living according to Jesus’ way of loving, of laying down our lives for our sisters and brothers - which is precisely how Jesus desired us to live.
A paradox - Those who lose themselves in service to others - that they forget their own desire for peace - are actually the ones who are at peace. Similarly – it can be said that if you want to be happy, make other people happy.
The peace of Christ comes from a clean heart….meaning not going to bed at night with troubled conscience, not going to bed knowing that you had used, or abused or cheated or had taken advantage of someone. This is absolutely essential for peace… because we cannot go through life disobeying or breaking God’s laws and hurting people and breaking people’s hearts, and still be at peace with ourselves. Life does not work that way.
We ask - What peace could Jesus possibly have known in the last hours of his life - - - weeping in the garden, watching his disciples run away, carrying an undeserved cross, feeling forsaken even by God? His peace was from knowing He was doing the will of God.
There is peace in obedience to God’s will - that is found in no other way - - - a peace that surpasses understanding.
During Jesus’ darkest hours – Jesus found peace from his strong faith, his unwavering faith and trust in God…..from knowing that his Father was in control and could be trusted with everything, even a cross. Jesus’ peace was the peace of knowing that whatever happened, he was in God’s care.
People ask: “Why do bad things happen even to good people?” You see, things happen – only to the extent that God allows them to happen and if things happen even though they may seem to be bad, God is so powerful – God is so good - that He can bring good out of what may seem to be a bad situation.
My brothers and sisters in Christ – We live in such troubled times…. Many are struggling, suffering in one form or another… So, for our own peace, we need to always remember that whatever happens, we are always in God’s care….whatever happens, God is in control. Victory has already been won.
Jesus said: “In this world, you will have troubles; but take heart, I have overcome the world.”
Jesus said: “Do not let your hearts be troubled… Do not be afraid…”
In the words of St. Paul: “May the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, always guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus, our Lord.” AMEN.
God bless…
