The Peace of God

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