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)
Do we not long for peace? We want peace in our families, in our schools and places of work, in our neighborhoods and communities, and in our world. It sometimes seems, though, that in our world true peace is elusive. How can we experience true peace when war rages on and people hurt other people with words and actions?
What do you think of when you hear the word "peace"? My initial thought is "aah, quiet." You might think that peace means not having to deal with any problems or challenges or that peace means the absence of war and violence. It is true that peace is all of this. But this passage from the Gospel of John reminds us that Jesus promises us a peace that is different from the world's peace. In fact, Jesus not only promises us peace, but He gives us His peace now; we just need to be open to welcoming it. Jesus even gives us the key to true peace: Forgiveness.
Why do we have war? We have war because people want something that someone else has or because another group of people did something against them and they feel the need to retaliate. We have war because people are greedy and want power over others.
Why do we have unrest in our communities and in our families? We have unrest in our communities and our families because people have been hurt by the words and actions of others, they are discontent, and they are carrying grudges against others.
Jesus' key to true peace is embedded in the act of forgiveness. Forgiveness seems unattainable in the global sphere because of the sins of greed and pride. The unrest of our world seems to big to even comprehend possible peace. If we begin practicing forgiveness in our own lives, in our families and communities, we can begin to shift energy from negativity and grudges to forgiveness and peace.
Jesus shares His peace with us through the Holy Spirit and forgiveness. In turn, He sends us forth to share that same peace through forgiveness. We can make a difference, we can bring about peace if we begin to forgive ourselves and those around us. As we forgive others, the Holy Spirit will fill those whom we forgive and empower them to forgive. If more of us begin the practice of forgiveness, our children, our future world leaders, will grow up with the Spirit of forgiveness. We can shift our world from unrest to peace one act of forgiveness at a time.
Faith Chat Questions: Is there a grudge you've been holding on to for a while? What might you need to do to forgive and let go of that grudge in order to experience the peace of Christ?
for Children: Name one way you can forgive a family member, friend, or anyone else you know.
Faith Response: Write each of the Fruits of the Holy Spirit (from Galatians 5:22-23) on a slip of paper: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Generosity, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-control. Put the slips of paper in a jar or bowl on your kitchen/prayer table. Each morning, draw a slip from the jar and tell all household members to practice that Fruit of the Spirit throughout the day. At dinner or bedtime, have each family member tell how they shared or experienced that Fruit of the Spirit throughout the day.
Pray: Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of Your love. Send forth your Spirit, and they shall be created, and You shall renew the face of the earth. O God, Who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy the Spirit's consolations, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
