The white smoke came sooner than expected! Soon, the new Pope, Leo XIV, greeted the world from the Vatican window: “Peace be with you.” What better words could we wish for? Jesus used these very same words with His disciples every time He appeared to them after the resurrection. This peace is what our hearts long for. Jesus said,
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you.” John 14:27a
The Hebrew word for peace, “Shalom,” comes from a root word meaning wholeness or completeness. Without Jesus we are not whole, we are not complete, not the world or the people in it. Without Jesus, our world is filled with competition, wars, violence and broken relationships. Do we realize that the peace Jesus offers is a manifestation of divine grace?
“Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 1 Corinthians 3:16
The Holy Spirit brings us wholeness and peace. The Spirit is our comforter, counselor, advocate, teacher, guide, intercessor, witness and the Spirit of Truth. Our God is a God of wholeness. He calls each of us, not to perfection, but to wholeness.
“May the God of peace himself make you perfectly holy and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body, be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will also accomplish it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
His peace makes us whole and holy! Maybe this month we can greet each other at the sign of peace with, “Peace and wholeness be with you today!” Praying for peace beyond all understanding for each of us as we welcome the Holy Spirit to renew His life in us once again.
Blessings,
Sister Mary Ann Barnhorn, SNDdeN
“… the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23