“Peace” is a word that we hear so often these days, especially with the wish and hope for peace in the Middle East and Peace in Ukraine.
But it is not only in international matters that we need peace.
We need peace in our everyday lives, but so often that peace is interrupted by acts with which we have no control – peace interrupted by hooning and excessive noise, by break and entering, stealing, by various acts of personal assault.
Many people do not have peace in their home and mental lives. But this is not something new.
Going back to Biblical times, we know of the wars at that time of history, we assume that peace was not always a part of life as the word “peace” is mentioned about 200 times in the New Testament.
At that time, the Jews thought that Jesus would bring them peace in removing the Romans from their land.
This did not happen.
The peace that Jesus brings is a special peace.
It is a peace that goes beyond all of our understanding.
It is a far deeper peace than a physical one. It is a peace that goes deeply into our whole being.
Jesus said, “My peace I give to you, my peace I leave with you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid.”
May we all have that peace in our everyday lives.
By Fr Ken Spreadborough
