6TH SUNDAY OF EASTER: HOW DO WE ACHIEVE PEACE IN RELATIONSHIPS?

In this weekend's gospel, Christ says to his apostles, “Peace, I leave with you; my peace I give to you.” What does peace mean for our time? With Christian persecution, kidnapping, killing, socio-political unrest, mental health challenges, and psychological insecurity? What does peace mean in the face of starvation? Is there a standard for measuring peace?

Pope Leo XIV put out these words in his inaugural Mass:

“Dear brothers and sisters, these are the first words spoken by the risen Christ, the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for God’s flock. I would like this greeting of peace to resound in your hearts, in your families, among all people, wherever they may be, in every nation and throughout the world.  Peace be with you! It is the peace of the risen Christ. A peace that is unarmed and disarming, humble and persevering. A peace that comes from God, the God who loves us all, unconditionally. That sounds unattainable for our time, “A peace that is unarmed and disarming, humble and persevering.” Perhaps that is why we talk about praying for peace, because sometimes it looks like it is something beyond our reach. We pray mostly for what we need but do not.

Christ speaks to the disciples, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you.” He invokes the Holy Spirit to bring upon them “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Gal. 5:22-23).  

The actions of the apostles (Acts 15:1-2, 22-29) are instructive. Peace can be compromised, yet the need to commit to the course of peace remains imperative. The disciples hold a meeting at the Jerusalem Council to discuss the obstruction of the gospel preached by Paul and Barnabas by some members of the Jewish communities. These gangs want to control the process of conversion of Gentiles into the faith. We read that the apostles chose Judas, who was called Barsabbas, and Silas, “leaders among the brothers.” They realize that some of their members hurt the peace of the new converts by imposing their own teachings against the faith. In their letter to the Gentiles, they maintain, “The apostles and the elders, your brothers, to the brothers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia of Gentile origin: greetings.” The emphasis on “your brothers” calls for deeper reflection. Fighting segregation and discrimination, and working to promote the right to worship, are important themes here. No one has the right to place any burden on others, otherwise, peace gets compromised.

On how we can measure peace, we can say that peace is measured by true freedom. Freedom is a basic need of every human person. And as Paul states, "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom" (2 Cor. 3:17). On the contrary, humans seek control and power. Whether in personal relationships or in leadership, human beings resist threats against their freedom. This generates violence and conflict.

In 1963, Pope John XXIII wrote an encyclical titled Pacem in Terris, where he states, “man has a natural right to be respected. He has a right to his good name. He has a right to freedom in investigating the truth, and—within the limits of the moral order and the common good—to freedom of speech and publication, and to freedom to pursue whatever profession he may choose. He has the right, also, to be accurately informed about public events. He has the natural right to share in the benefits of culture, and hence to receive a good general education, and a technical or professional training consistent with the degree of educational development in his own country. Also, among man's rights is that of being able to worship God in accordance with the right dictates of his own conscience, and to profess his religion both in private and in public” (nos 12-14).

Some individuals abuse the rights and privileges of others. We see that in families, friendships, and marriages. We see that in public offices and in politics. Peace is compromised when an individual wants to control the life of another in their own way. Most leaders in today’s world compromise peace through neglecting values that uphold human dignity and justice. The sense of brotherhood is lost when one is made to become a victim of another.

Christ reminds us not to rely on others for peace. He invites us to inner peace, serenity, and joy in the spirit. Christ invites us to make him the source of our peace, the type that defiles human threats and abuses. The peace of Christ builds up the brotherhood, fosters love, and self-esteem. It elevates the Christian identity despite all odds. It does not come from material satisfaction, nor affiliation with power or human authority. Christ’s peace is rooted in the power of prayer and sacred scripture. It is found in union with Christ in the Blessed Eucharist, in the community and friendship of those who have Christ’s peace. Even amid persecution or lack, we can find peace. The person in control might be the one lacking true peace, which is the reason why such a person cannot be an agent of peace. Like the Acts of the Apostles community, we must unite with the Holy Spirit to ask for God’s peace to reign in our hearts. If you know Christ, then you must treat that person near you with dignity. You must recognize the freedom appropriate to the person's dignity in the relationship. That makes you an agent of peace.

Readings: 1st- Acts: 15:1-2, 22-29; 2nd- Rev. 21:10-14, 22-23; Gospel- Jn. 14:23-29