The Peace of Christ

Did you notice that the first thing that Jesus tells the disciples to preach as they go out is “peace”? When I hear that, I am reminded that the first thing that Jesus proclaimed to the disciples in the Upper Room after the resurrection was also, “peace.” It’s not, “Here I am,” or “I won,” or “Now, where was I?”  Instead, the most important thing that Jesus wanted to state in order to establish the rapport was “peace.”

I think we can easily forget that. Very often, we think of Christ’s message of being one of love or forgiveness or reconciliation or healing. However, this is not what the Gospels relate. Certainly, these things are important and integral to the mission of Jesus; but that shalom was so important to Him.  He even repeated that evening of Easter.

The question that I want to ponder this weekend as we are offered these readings is this: What is the peace of Christ?

Sometimes, powerful nations flex their military muscle, almost as a threat to war, as a way of “ensuring peace.” In this sense, many consider peace to merely be the absence of war. However, is that true? Throughout my childhood, the United States and the Soviet Union waged the “Cold War.” This was not really war as we know it – there were no declarations, no attacks – however it did instill fear (I certainly remember it). Additionally, that situation also led to some questionable activities on both sides to support unjust regimes throughout the world. I cannot say that this was “peace.” Two boys or men may threaten to fight each other; there may be no fight, no violence, but neither is there peace. I think we would all agree on that.

In classical Christian theology, peace has been defined as a tranquilitas ordinis – the “tranquility of order” – meaning that peace is the result of all things in right relationship. Here, we come closer to that “peace of Christ” that we are discussing. If peace is a result of proper relationships, then there cannot be peace without true justice – and I do not simply mean a ”balance of power” or quid-pro-quo reactions.  That is not justice. True justice can only flow from God and from all things being I right relationship with Him, and then in right relationship with one another.

The image that the prophet Isaiah offers today is one of order: “As nurslings, you shall be carried in her arms and fondled in her lap; as a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; in Jerusalem you shall find your comfort.” This peace is the peace of a child fully comfortable in its mother’s arms, totally dependent in trust and love. Everything is where it should be; everything is how it must be.

That is why Jesus first sent out the disciples to let people know that this gift of peace was theirs.  Some want that peace on their terms; some want it to be the result of their effort; still others are not even ready for peace because of the disorder in their own lives. But the peace that Jesus tells the disciples to preach is no mere human peace. It is not the result of power, nor legislation, nor flight from the world. Rather, the peace that Jesus brings is a peace of being freed from repression and oppression.  It is the peace of Eden – the peace that the Father originally intended. That is why Christ came: to bring all things into one in Himself.

The peace that we preach is the peace of the Cross; because in the Cross of Christ we are brought back together with the Father. It is where both mercy and justice meet – and without both of these, the peace of Christ will always elude us. That’s why Paul “boasted” in the Cross – because in the Cross was his only hope for salvation and his only source of strength.

Jesus sends the disciples out to preach peace. He also sends you and me. This peace cannot be a peace that comes from winning arguments or from keeping people from being who they are. That is the peace of fear, and ultimately it leads to the peace of the grave. The presence of injustice in our world is our call to continue this mission that Jesus gave the disciples. We must preach peace! And to achieve this peace, we must preach justice.

But that is not enough. There must be actions to support this justice and peace. It cannot simply be beautiful words. If we have any power or privilege, then it is our sacred duty to use that power to work for a just world where peace can flourish. This is not the case when immigrants are terrified of being separated from their families, where the poor are forced to decide what medicine they can purchase and what they will go without, where the loud and the violent seem to be the only ones who are heard.

St. Oscar Romero said that “If there is a sincere desire for peace and if it is truly recognized that justice is the root of peace, then all those who can change the situation of violence are obliged to do so” (Homily, 7/3/1977). It was noted once by the bishops of Latin America that “all those who are able to do something to create a more just order…sin against peace if they do not do what is within their ability” (Medellin, 2,18).

So, let’s preach peace. Begin with yourself. Find places of disorder in your own lives and invite Jesus into those places, where He will bring the light of God, the light of faith and trust in Him. When our hearts are at peace, then we can be agents of peace for others. Living and working for the justice that brings us into proper relationship with God and one another.

Brothers and sisters, may the peace of Christ be with you!