We all know what it’s
like to be afraid-fear, terror or simply anxiety it’s part of the human
experience. Fear is unpleasant but in an
evolutionary sense was also important for staying alive at least for our
ancient ancestors. If we weren’t afraid
of the saber tooth tiger we might get
eaten.
Some of us might be
feeling anxious right now. Something
going in our personal lives has us afraid,—maybe just the state of what’s going
on in the world is terrifying or anxiety provoking. A colleague of mine tweeted the other day
that for the first time in a really long time—she afraid of what might happen
in our world.
It seems like every time
the resurrected Jesus shows up-the first emotion to hit the disciples is fear,
terror.
Today the Gospels speaks
of the disciples being both startled and terrified—when Jesus shows up they
think they are seeing a ghost—
Now I have never seen a
ghost, but I would imagine that to be terrifying.
It also seems that Jesus in the Gospels is very in tune with his disciples fear—the first
words out of his mouth today are words of reassurance—Peace—be with you.
Last week we heard the
same thing—when comes among the disciples in John’s story — peace be with you.
Earlier in the Gospels when
he walks across the water and the disciples are scared——he says to
them—something similar-- do not be afraid.
Jesus is in tune with
fear--
The Greek word for peace
“eireine” sometimes is translated
quietness or rest. Quietness be with you.
St. Paul speaks about the
peace of God –being something that surpasses understanding—something so amazing
that we can’t begin to comprehend it. He also speaks about this peace of
God—being something that guards our hearts and minds. Something that protects us, that shelters
us from the assaults of the world-- that
shelters us from the anxiety of living today.
Of course this peace isn’t just something that just happens—maybe
sometimes does sometimes—but -- Paul speaks about it arising from prayer and
supplication. He says this in
Philippians 4.
“ Do not be anxious about anything, but in
everything by prayer and supplication… let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, [Paul says] which
surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ
Jesus.”
Prayer and supplication are vehicles through
which Jesus blows the peace of God into us—a peace that we can’t get from anywhere
else—we can’t buy it from a store—we can manufacture it in a factory, but we
can invite it into our lives through prayer.
There are many studies that document how prayer
and meditation helps to reduce and alleviate things anxiety and fear and depression. I have been
told that prayer and meditation can change our brain chemistry for the better—making
us calmer and more relaxed, more centered and more focused.
Prayer also helps us to rely more fully on God
particular with things we can’t control—there is a lot out there we can’t
control and that is also what provokes a lot of anxiey—Prayer helps us to get
better at trusting God –Prayer helps us to see that God holds all things
together and that God is holding us in the palms of God’s hands.
Of course, prayers isn’t the only place where the
peace of God enters our lives. I truly believe that right down there at the
rail—when we partake in the bread and wine—we received into our lives the
presence of almighty God. I am amazed
how sometime I can see that very thing happen -someone who looks anxious or
agitated or upset—begins to settle as they
take, receive Eucharist-it’s holy ground right down there.
I also think that we bring peace with us—when we
walk into a tense situation—we can bring peace into those situations—in the pastoral world-we call it being a “non
anxious” presence. Being calm as the waters swirl about us—it helps others to
relax to see someone who is calm, its
amazing how the people around us can settle
when we exude peace and calm in the midst of chaos—it is as if they can anchor
themselves to the peace we have.
I can remember a few years I was doing a wedding
and one of the bridesmaid who was pretty nervous said to me-Fr. Sean -you seem
so calm— I actually wasn’t weddings can be pretty high pressure situations---
but at least I looked calm-- as she said this I could see her own anxiety begin
to melt away as she was in some way able to use the calm I was exuding.
Peace be with you—they may only seem like words
or greeting, peace be with you might just seem like a fancy way to say hello--
but again and again scripture tell us differently that the peace Jesus speaks—that
the peace Jesus gives has the power to transform—has
the power to flood into us---- has the power to strengthen—has the power to
give us the courage to face the storms—
Where might you need Jesus to speak peace into your
life?
Pray for it –ask God for it. Keep on asking, keep
on praying.
Where might you be called to be a bearer of
peace? Bring it-share it.
Peace be with you -it’s not a fancy greeting-but
words with great power—a gift given to us by Jesus.
AMEN
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