Thoughts for the Day

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. You heard me say to you, “I am going away, and I am coming to you.” If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe. I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over me; but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us be on our way.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Many years ago I stayed with a family that had a number of young children. It was absolute bedlam, there was no corner of the house to get a bit of peace; and when my sons were young it was pretty much the same. Children take a while to learn to moderate their voices and often whisper or else shout - there is nothing in between.

In our world we can sometimes get peace by removing ourselves from whatever is 'noisy'; we can go to the countryside but then complain that the cows or birds are noisy; or we can go abroad on holiday but the troubles of the office still intrude on the phone even when we're on the beach; or failing all else we can take a sleeping tablet and go to bed even though the day comes all too soon! Getting peace can be all too difficult.

In the Jewish world the word "Shalom" (ie 'Peace') is used when greeting or indeed leaving friends. But when Jesus says "Shalom!" this is no casual phrase of "Hello!" or "Goodbye". He doesn't necessarily offer his disciples, or us, a time of space away from the chaos of this life. But He does offer wholeness and completeness, and the deep and lasting peace of knowing Him and the Father, through the power of the Holy Spirit. We might think of it as having stillness at our core, because we know we are loved by God. The noise of life doesn't go away but becomes put in its place and we can cope with the exigencies of life once more.

Lord Jesus Christ,
give us Your peace this day,
a peace that fills our hearts and minds,
and which puts all our difficulties in perspective.
May we come ever closer to You,
and draw upon Your love each day
as we step forward into the future.
Amen.