Peace ...

Peace ….. what a lovely word that is and how appealing is the whole idea of peace: personal inner peace, peace in our families, peace in our community and, ultimately, peace across the world. The desire for and love of peace are deeply embedded into the lives of every human being, so it is extraordinary that, given this desire, humanity has been singularly poor at establishing it.

Why is there so little peace? One of the primary reasons must be because individuals are not at peace within themselves. In order to establish world peace, we need to work backwards: from the world to community, from community to family, from family to the individual.

Have you ever noticed how a peaceful person radiates peace in such a way that it is catching? It seems to me that if we want to be part of a peace-making process, we need to take responsibility for finding peace within ourselves in order to allow that peace to radiate out and affect those around us. It is like a ripple effect: a peaceful person encourages peace in another, and another and another. St Francis loved to greet people with the words "The Lord give you peace!" and he told his followers, "When you proclaim peace by your words, you must also carry an even greater peace in your hearts. Let no one be provoked to anger by you, or be scandalised, but let your gentleness encourage all men to peace, good will and mutual love".

What causes us to lack or lose peace?

There are many reasons why we lack peace. For many - in fact, for most of us - it may be a hurt we are carrying around with us, something that we are finding hard to forgive or understand. It would be true to say that I don't know anyone who has not been damaged to some degree: that is part of the human condition. It would be worth remembering that God is passionate about us in our humanity. He knows who has damaged us, how they have damaged us and, most importantly, how to heal us.

Many of us find it hard to be at peace with ourselves because we have not yet learned to love ourselves as God wishes that we would. God would want us to be happy with the way he has made us, warts and all. He would want us to be grateful to him for our very being and for the gifts that he has - and hasn't - seen fit to give us. Sadly, we live in a culture which encourages us to find fault with the way we look, with the way we do things, with the way we do our house up and so much more.

When Jesus tells Lazarus to come out from his tomb and then releases him from his death shrouds, he is also taking the opportunity of saying to us: I want you to be free, I want you to be free from all that separates you from my peace.

What is separating us from this peace that Jesus wants us to have?

- are we inclined to be quick-tempered?
- are we harsh with others in our thoughts and words?
- do we judge and criticise those around us?
- do we fear criticism of ourselves?
- are we greedy?
- are we fearful and anxious?
- are we quick to argue without taking the trouble to see the other point of view?
- are we slow to forgive?

Despite all of these things: our natural flaws and insecurities; our sadnesses and general damage, Jesus would still tell us - you can be at peace, it is what I want for you!

In the Mass, just after we have said the 'Our Father' and we have the very person of Jesus right there, with us, on the sanctuary, I am always reminded of Jesus' first appearance amongst his friends after he had died. What were his first words? They were quite simply "Peace be with you". "Peace be with you…. I leave you peace, my peace I give you". I do urge you to spend time pondering these words which were not just addressed to his friends at that time, but to you and me. “I want you to be at peace, I will give it to you, I have the means of giving it to you. Turn to me and find peace.”

Peace is within our reach.

A truly peaceful person is someone who is at peace with themselves, others and God. At the heart of that peace is forgiveness, forgiveness of ourselves (the hardest part), forgiveness of others (not easy either) and God's forgiveness of us.

As we examine ourselves we need to be as gentle with ourselves as God is with us. If we turn to him he would lead us….

- into a life of patience and gentleness
- into a way of dealing with people without judging or criticising them
- to a humility and freedom where we won't mind what people think of us or say about us
- to a gratitude for all that we have which will free us from greed
- to a loving trust of him which will put to free us from all our fears and anxieties


In a mind that is full of Love and Wisdom, there is no room for either fear or ignorance;
In a mind that is full of Patience and Humility, there is no room for either anger or annoyance;
In a mind that full of Poverty and Joy, there is no room for either avarice or cupidity;
In a mind that is full of Peace and Contemplation, there is no room for either worry or restlessness;
In a mind that is full of Mercy and Prudence, there is no room for either harshness or excess;
Where there is the fear of God to guard the dwelling, there no enemy can enter.
(Adapted from St Francis' verse of Virtue & Vice)