Franciscan Fractal
Contemplating Today’s Culture through the Eyes of St. Francis & the Life of Christ
“A Different Kind of Peace”
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” John 14:27
At some time or other, we ALL wish for peace. It could be peace following a storm, peace between two sides warring against each other, peace between political parties after an embattled election, or even peace for a person who has had a prolonged illness and now has died. We all want peace . . . a time to settle down, and simply be OK with life.
We form committees and organizations that work for peace. Though we have great ideals, the committees themselves are often filled with conflicts and disagreements as how to actually establish peace. Peace has become the “buzzword” for something that is not yet happening.
To that extent, peace is an illusion. Our striving for peace only means that the world is still functioning without peace, except for a few occasional interludes. A lack of peace creates a chaotic life for most of us. Our days are wracked with anxiety, loss of energy, and constant worry. We whittle away our time thinking about what might happen in the future, or rehashing what has or has not happened in the past . . . yet, nothing ever completely changes. Peace slips through our fingers.
In the scripture passage, we are confronted with the truth that we may be seeking peace in the wrong place. We have an idea (and only an idea) of what peace might look like in our mind. This peace is based upon what we have heard throughout our life. Given the exponential number of experiences of people around us, there is also an exponential number of interpretations of what peace looks like. The result is that we only “talk” peace, while living without it.
The words of Jesus shatter our illusions when he brings in another concept of peace, namely, one that he gives and not one that is of the world. It also is not a futuristic promise, or a promise that is going to be fulfilled after we die. Moreover, it’s not going to change the present world around us. This peace is found in another place. It is found inside of you and me. It is a peace where we are not troubled by anything. There is no reason to be disturbed, because the Christ who is unfolding the world is the peace that we seek. God is watching, waiting, sitting with us, caring for us, and loving us – NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS in the world.
For many of us, we simply want to believe that God’s peace is true, but we are unable to capture this peace. Much to our surprise, his peace is not found by our own efforts. It is freely given. We become aware of this calmness by spending time with the only person who demonstrates an ongoing peaceful presence. We find peace by encountering the face of God in Christ.
To our dismay, you and I will not find peace by sitting on a committee that explores peace. In fact, we will never be in a space that is totally peaceful in this life. Remember that real, internal, and lasting peace is found only in another realm – a realm that the world does not give. it is found within the deep love of Christ who is constantly emanating tranquility from the center of his being.
And, how do we find this place where we encounter the peace of Christ? We experience it when we become still. We find it in stillness. “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10) In the silence that flows from stillness, we then realize that God is coming to us offering the ongoing peaceful way of living that we seek.
Prayers and Blessings,
Fr. John
