God's Peace

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. (John 14:27 NABRE)

As the Scripture narrative on John 14:27 puts it, Peace: the traditional Hebrew salutation Shalom, but Jesus’ “Shalom” is a gift of salvation.

Do we not hunger for the Peace that God gives? Experiencing a peaceful state is such a comforting state it is hard to describe that peaceful sense of being. It is more than just being happy. It is more than just being comfortable.  The gift of God’s peace is greater than anything we can achieve on our own. In this world how can we experience even a snapshot of God’s Peace and Grace?

Let’s consider some thoughts that may draw us closer to God’s Peace on earth.

How many times does someone need to violate us before we start to back away from them? Maybe it is in their speech or seeming rudeness. Maybe it is in a specific action that is so disrespectful. Maybe it is in their outspoken opinions that conflict with our opinions or values.

Maybe with honest introspect we can even see how someone might think of us in the same fashion. Is it possible that our habitual behavior is such that what we do or say may be perfectly acceptable in our culture but down deep it is not truly respectful or demonstrate dignity for another person. How forgiving of ourselves are we? We give ourselves the benefit of overlooking our behavior and don’t consider some of our offenses when we interact with others nor even when we go to confession.

I love reading St. Faustina’s diary and one of her stories hit home to me. She told of a time when she had received the Sacrament of Reconciliation one evening and the next morning when she went to Mass she was really feeling good about herself. She almost had a moment like the Pharisee who was praying and thinking well of himself in the temple. Suddenly Jesus reminded her of two incidents that occurred that morning that were not so charitable. She immediately felt remorseful being reminded of her shortfalls.

Sometimes I can catch myself after just leaving Mass with a slip up. Shamefully I think to myself, didn’t I just celebrate the incredible sacrifice of Jesus for my sins. How quick I can slip up.

I also think of Satan like a boxer in the ring who when he finds our weaknesses will continue to tempt us and use them against us over and over. BUT God’s Mercy and forgiveness is greater than any sin we can commit. With a contrite heart we turn back to Jesus and Him unlike us will not turn away. We have violated Him but He is forgiving and loving.

Jesus gave us the incredible gift of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. He knows how much we need that gift of grace. Do we not have a beautiful sense of His Peace as we leave after receiving His blessing of forgiveness?

How often do we or should we go to confession? I know I don’t go enough when I consider His grace and peace shared with me. Our pastor, Father Paul was reassuring recently when he said that He celebrates our coming to Reconciliation. Not because of hearing our sins. He says that part is boring because he has heard it all. But rather he celebrates for us knowing that with a contrite heart we are receiving God’s incredible grace and healing power.

We cannot defeat sin. Only Jesus can defeat sin, hence our need for Him in our lives. Hence our need for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and a relationship with God.

Bishop Robert Barron recently reflected on the story of Jesus healing a man who was deaf and could not speak. Jesus took the man away from the crowd and healed him. It was Jesus’ way of removing him from the influence of the world so the man could hear God’s voice and speak God’s word. There was the man’s healing opportunity. In like fashion there is our healing opportunity. It is in moving away from the distractions of the outside world and its distorted interpretations of right and wrong. Moving to a quiet place and closer to Him is where we can begin to experience His peace.

Reconciliation like all of God’s Sacraments are those times of receiving God’s grace and experiencing God’s Peace. Receiving Jesus’ Shalom, His gift of salvation.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. (John 14:27 NABRE)

Let us Shine Like the Son! And may God’s Peace be with you.