REFLECTIONS TODAY
Peace is usually understood as freedom from war or public disturbance. On the level of the individual person, peace means absence of mental conflict. But the Hebrew shalom (peace) is more encompassing. Its fundamental idea is well-being in its totality. Anything that contributes to the wholeness can be expressed in terms of peace. In the New Testament, the Greek eirene (peace) is much the same as the Hebrew shalom. It basically means well-being and salvation. Peace is the gift of God in the person of Jesus Christ.
During his public ministry, Jesus preaches peace. He enters the city of Jerusalem as king of peace. Above all, peace is the fruit of Jesus’ paschal mystery. It is his first greeting to his disciples when he rises from the dead. This peace brings forgiveness and totality of God’s gift, made clear by the accompanying words of empowerment from the risen Savior: “Receive the Holy Spirit” (Jn 20:22). Jesus breaks the enmity caused by sin and brings reconciliation. A Pauline passage proclaims this: “For he is our peace, he who made both one and broke down the dividing wall of enmity, through his flesh... thus establishing peace, and might reconcile both with God, in one body, through the cross, putting that enmity to death by it” (Eph 2:14-16).
Gospel • Jn 14:27-31a
Jesus said to his disciples: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. You heard me tell you, ‘I am going away and I will come back to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe. I will no longer speak much with you, for the ruler of the world is coming. He has no power over me, but the world must know that I love the Father and that I do just as the Father has commanded me.” *Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2023,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]); Website: [http://www.stpauls.ph](http://www.stpauls.ph).*