Peace is indispensable in our lives. With peace, we can develop our human capacity and build a better future. This idea is noticeably present in my country (Burundi), where people greet each other by uttering “Amahoro" (Peace). Wishing peace to someone puts him/her in a state of peace and can help him/her to become a peacemaker in this world, especially where there is no peace. A number of countries have been experiencing war. Inter alia, wars in Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine, DRC and different rebel groups, etc. have been alerting everyone. The wars have caused uncountable damage to infrastructure, loss of human life, and impinged development in all spheres of life. Many people continue to suffer in many ways; they lose their loved ones and belongings and are displaced from time to time. The number of victims continues to surge. People are tired; they really need peace in those parts of the world. Government officials and other politicians are called to talk for the good of the little ones. As instruments of Christ our Peace (cf. Ep 2:14), each of us is asked to fight for peace in places that have become the theater of wars and insecurity. Additionally, we are asked to assist those who lack peace while being in peaceful places. This leads us to the understanding of two kinds of peace: external and inner peace. How do the Sacred Scriptures deal with this two-fold meaning of peace?
1. The concept of Peace in the Old Testament
When we study or read about the history of the Middle East, we understand how that region has been the theater of wars and violence. This situation appeared even in the Bible. As a matter of fact, a number of Old Testament passages were written in the context of war. The Israelites, on their way to the promised land, experienced a number of wars. They were always praying to God to help them defeat their enemies. In the book of Leviticus, the Lord responded to their prayers, “I will give peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and none will make you afraid ...” (Lv 26:6). The Israelites kept this promise from the Lord. They increasingly came to understand peace as a gift from God whereby they came into harmony with God’s will for them and all creation. The psalmist proclaims the truth simply and directly, “In peace I shall both lie down and sleep, for you one, Lord, make me secure” (Ps4:9). In this score, the Israelites resolve to collaborate in seeking peace. Here, we understand that peace comes to us as a blessing from God, but it is also the goal towards which we strive. Thus, the Psalmist declared, “Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.” (Ps 34:14.)
2.The concept of Peace in the New Testament
In their journey, the Israelites didn’t forget the promise of God. Even during the Roman occupation, they were still gazing at the Lord who would send them the Messiah to politically impose peace. When the Messiah, the prince of peace (Cf Is 9:6) came, they were a bit confused. Romans continued to maltreat them. To their surprise, Jesus said, “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword” (Mat10:34). They didn’t really find a political messiah in Jesus, who would deliver them from the Romans ‘yoke. Jesus admitted clearly that, because of him, people will be separated. Others will even be persecuted and killed because of him. Those who obstinate to follow Christ will persecute his followers. Jesus was really a sign of Contradiction, as Simeon had prophesied (Cf. Luke 2:34).
The Lord is not the enemy of peace. He wants his people to live in peace and harmony. However, because of the consequences of sin in the world, he cannot deny that war can break out any time now. On this, Christ is able to give his peace even where there is no peace. After the death of Jesus, his disciples were hiding by fear of the Jews. After the resurrection, Jesus found them in that plight and wished them peace (Cf. Jn 20: 19b-26). This shows how important it is to be in peace even while experiencing hard times. With Chris’s peace, our fear is taken away. With the peace of Christ, nothing can stop us from doing our mission.
While bidding farewell to his disciples, Jesus also knew that they could not escape hardships, persecution, and even death. He then leaves them peace: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14: 27) Such peace is unique. In biblical revelation, peace is much more than the simple absence of war; it represents the fullness of life (cf. Mal 2:5). Far from being the work of human hands, it is one of the greatest gifts that God offers to all men and women, and it involves obedience to the divine plan.
3. Three Ss of Peace
Bishop Socrates helps to understand the meaning of peace in these three ways[1]: First, peace is Silence of mind. You cannot have peace if you worry a lot. Second, Peace is simplicity of heart. If you think you will not be happy without this or that, you are cluttering your minds. The simpler our hearts become, the more peaceful we will be. Lastly, peace is serenity of the soul. A soul that is tormented by sin will never be at peace. That is why the sacrament of reconciliation is a pre-requisite to peace all the time. Peace means order and harmony in our whole being; it means continual contentment springing from the knowledge of a good conscience; it is the holy joy of a heart in which God reigns. Peace is the way to perfection, indeed in peace is perfection to be found. The devil, who is well aware of all this, makes every effort to have us lose our peace. On this, we do need to pray so that we may keep peace in us.
Conclusion
All in all, without the peace of Christ, there is no genuine peace. The peace that Christ gives helps us to confront any forces of evil. Moreover, his peace will help us to understand the core meaning of our suffering, in order to transform it in a moment of grace. Amid suffering, the disciples always encountered a God who is even in the dark of their lives. That is also experienced by those who are behind bars, those at war and those who are persecuted. Christ gives a peace that no hostile forces can take away from the disciples. The prince of this world whose coming Jesus announced has no hold over Him (Jn 14:30). Thus, if we keep the peace of Christ, we will remain with Him through his Spirit; consequently, no evil will hold over us. May the martyrs of Baraka and Fizi, who kept the peace of Christ even in trying moments, help us to be always with Christ our peace while doing our mission.
[1] Socrates B. Villegas. Jesus Our peace., Reflection from the Holy Ground (Pasig City, Anvil Publishing,2002), 79-80.
