A Few Words On "The Word"

May 13, 2007
Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year C

John 14:23-29

Peace by Peace

If you've managed to pay attention at all during your history lessons you've probably heard of a time known as the Pax Romana. For about 150 years the Roman Empire enjoyed a time of peace and prosperity, a time with fewer wars and violent conquests. The Roman emperors during the Pax Romana were generally good and just leaders, giving Roman citizens throughout the empire opportunities to flourish.

Despite the fact that it is a central desire of all people, peace can be a pretty complicated concept. It can mean different things to different people because of the many facets it possesses. It's easiest for us to talk a lot about the type of political peace or world peace the Pax Romana brought about during times of war and violence. However, peace can also be something that is very personal, relating to those immediately around us, or even more specifically, an internal state.

Think of a time you did something that you knew you shouldn't have. At the time, your conscience was loudly telling you it was wrong and afterwards you felt guilty and ashamed. You weren't at peace within yourself because of the decision you made.

Jesus' words in today's gospel should be familiar to us. We hear them at the sign of peace every time we go to mass. We often tend to shrug the meaning off even while we shake the hands of those around us. However, Jesus provides some clues to what will bring about God's peace in our lives.

We have to realize that the peace Jesus is talking about isn't necessarily the same worldly, Pax Romana peace we often talk about that is supposedly achieved through wars and violence. Instead Jesus seems to be referring to the personal and internal peace that comforts and sustains us. To truly attain this peace we must love Jesus and do what he asks us to. Often we can decide to forge our own path, deciding to love ourselves more than God or others. As a result we fail to achieve the good things God has in store for us and end up living restless lives.

If we are to truly be people who seek to be peacemakers we must first have some understanding of peace in our own lives. When we build our relationship God by loving and obeying Jesus, the Holy Spirit gives us the grace to have a true and lasting personal peace. Only when we have peace within our own hearts can we then begin to bring about the peaceful world of God's new kingdom through non-violent acts of love.

Reflection Question

In what ways do you find personal peace in your life? How does it enable you to be a peacebuilder?

Join us in our Forum to discuss these questions!