This weekend’s readings speak to us about the permeating peace of Christ’s resurrection. Many of us worry about many things: illness of a loved one, financial strains, tragedies in the world, crime and violence on our streets; yet if we are believers in Christ’s resurrection, we have to let his peace reign in our hearts first.
The first reading today from the Book of Acts, speaks to us about how a peaceful solution was achieved in the early church over the issue about "what one must do to be saved." For the first 15 to 20 years of the Christian era, all Jesus’ followers were Jewish. During that period, any Gentiles who wanted to become Jesus’ disciples were expected first to become Jews. They had to attend Sabbath synagogue services and keep the 613 Torah laws. This situation began to change when a few “liberal” Christian communities like the newly founded Church of the Gentiles in Antioch, began to admit Gentiles into their number without demanding that they first be converted to Judaism. Some of the Judeo-Christians from Judea and Jerusalem argued that the new Gentile converts must observe the Mosaic Law of circumcision, dietary regulations, purification rituals, etc. The issue couldn't be settled on a local level, although Paul and Barnabas tried that at first. Hence, they had to go to Jerusalem to consult the apostles. The apostles convened the first Ecumenical Council of Jerusalem and, with the clear leading of the Holy Spirit, decided that the Gentiles need not become Jews first, to be saved as Christians. The decision was momentous for two reasons. First, it marked a significant break of Christianity from Judaism. Second, it put the burden of salvation on God rather than on man. In other words, it is God’s love that saves us — not prayers, sacrifices or the keeping of the Law, which are only expressions of our gratitude to God. We see Saint Paul wrestling with this question, first in Galatians, then, in a more polished way, in Romans.
In our Gospel this weekend, our Lord continues with his farewell discourse. In the verses this Sunday, our Lord gives his disciples the greatest gift possible, second only to the Eucharist, the gift of peace. Wishing a person peace was, and still is, the usual form of greeting among the Jews and the Arabs. Moses instructed Israelites to bless others with God’s peace: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace”. “Peace be with you!” is the greeting Jesus used, and which the Apostles continued to use. Hence the Church uses it several times in the liturgy. Peace is one of the great messianic gifts. St. Paul tells us that it is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Jesus repeats his promise saying, ‘My peace I give to you, my peace I leave with you.’
The peace of Christ is more than the absence of trouble. It includes everything which makes for our highest good. The world's approach to peace is avoidance of trouble and a refusal to face unpleasant things. Jesus offers the peace which conquers our fears and anxieties. Nothing can take us from the peace and joy of Jesus Christ. No sorrow or grief, no danger, no suffering can make it less.
As we pray for peace in the world, let us pray that the peace of Christ first reign in our hearts…let his peace permeate every ounce of our being…then we will have peace in the world.
The Peace of Christ and his Blessings Always, Fr. Chris Novak
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