“They will live secure, for from then on he will extend his power to the ends of the land. He himself will be peace”. Micah 5:4.
The world rests upon three things: upon truth, upon justice and upon peace. The triad absolutely dissolve into one, for when justice is done, the truth becomes an actuality and peace a reality. When Christ came into the world, angels sang about peace; and when he went out of the world, peace was bequeathed. Peace therefore takes its locus where there is harmony between two opposed factions.
Peace is a climate in which every person and every group of persons can live the fullness of life that God intended for us when he created us. Peace isn’t merely the absence of war, and isn’t limited to maintaining a balance of powers between adversaries. It is “the tranquility of order”; it
is the work of justice and the effect of charity (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #2304).
The followers of Christ are called and empowered, not only to personalize the peace of Christ but also to be messengers of peace, in every way possible, especially by working for a just world order. Peace demands a mentality and a spirit which, before turning to others, must first permeate him who wishes to bring peace. Peace is first and foremost personal, before it is social. It is precisely this spirit of peace which it is the duty of every follower of Christ to cultivate.
Today’s Gospel (LK 10:1-12, 17-20) and the other readings tell us that we too have the task to proclaim the Kingdom. Like those seventy-two persons we too are called to proclaim that the Kingdom of God is at hand, and this has to be done through our lives. It is necessary for us, therefore, to lend a listening ear to the sick and lonely, helpless, young and elderly and give them that consolation and healing. We have to give them the peace of Jesus.
The call of Jesus continues to come to us even today in our families, social and religious
associations and our task as Christians is to be bringers of peace to everyone we meet and everything we do – “LORD MAKE ME A CHANNEL OF YOUR PEACE.” Of course, we need that peace and inner security within ourselves first of all. It is a peace that a close following of Jesus can bring. It is a peace that our conventional society, wracked as it is with so many externally-caused stresses and fears and ambitions, seldom seems to know. Let Peace be our greeting and Peace be our hallmark. Peace is the sign of the presence of God’s kingdom. Igbo na-asi “UDO KA NMA”. May the God of peace be in our hearts and in our homes today and every day.
UDO NKE CHINEKE DIRI UNU NILE!
Based on Sunday readings of July 3rd 2016
