My Peace I give to you, By Rev.Jaykumar

Jesus says to his disciples,"My peace I give to you". What is peace? Peace is always connected with war. People think, where there is no war, there is peace. Peace is more than having no war. The absence if war does not necessarily provide peace. It has both inner and outer aspects. Inner peace of mind. Outer good relations. Peaceful co-existence with one another. The Hebrew concept "Shalom", also "Salam" in Arabic, "Shanthi", mean "wholeness" or "welfare". Someone said, "we don't need graveyard peace". But what we need is dynamic peaceful co-existence. That's why World Council of Churches have been advocating, "Peace with Justice". In the ancient church, people greeted oneanother with a sign of peace. Later it came to be known as "Kiss of Peace". It was long forgotten but revived by the Church of South India in its liturgy, deeply appreciated by the Church of England. In most of the American Churches, there is greeting oneanother at the beginning or in the middle of the service. Sometimes, the whole worship atmosphere and its solemnity is lost in this exercise. What we need today is the peace of mind, heart and soul. Where can we get and who can give? Peace is associated with wellbeing. If we are well in body, mind and soul, then we have peace. Jesus is speaking about this "Eirene", peace and well being inspite of our situation. "Blessed are the peace makers, for they shall be called the children of God". As long as there is war, somewhere in the world, it is a blot on human wisdom. We might reach out to the heavens, but if we cannot live in peace on earth, what does it matter? Everyone is a visitor and Pilgrim on earth. We should learn to live and let others live too. Many of our churches are ridden with complex problems. People go to civil courts for redressel. There is no one answer. The answer is blowing in the wind by the Holy Spirit. The wind blows where it wills. Political peace, economic well being and equal sharing of earth's resources, can bring stable peace. Let us work towards living in peace and also allowing others to live in peace. "God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself". When God could do this, why not we do it to oneanother? Amen. If you are at peace with yourself, then share that peace with the congregation. If you are not at peace, allow someone who has achieved that peace to proclaim it. We cannot preach peace and and at the sametime at war/enemity with one another. "Let the peace of Christ rule in your heart". God bless you. Bishop Surya 14.9.24