Saturday of the Fifth Week of Lent
Peace- we all long for this state of being, yet peace seems to be difficult to find. In today’s reading, God promises to make a “covenant of peace” with the children of Israel. Where is this peace that God offers, and how can we become vehicles to bring this peace to the world around us.
In today’s first reading from Ezekiel, God describes how the Israelites will return to God and live as “one nation upon the land.” God promises to make with them a “covenant of peace” that will last forever. God assures the Israelites that God will always be with them and they will be a holy nation because of God’s presence in their midst. The Israelites will be delivered from their sins, and they will obey all of God’s statues and decrees through the great mercy of God. The description of God and God’s people in this reading are a great cause for hope. God desires all to live in peace and to live according to God’s covenant. It is when the nations allow God to “set up” among them that God makes all things holy.
In the gospel reading, Caiaphas foretells how Jesus will be instrumental in bringing all nations together through his death. As the gospel story continues to unfurl, the resurrected Jesus is the one who offers the frightened apostles peace in the upper room scene. “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 Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s covenant for eternal peace. Jesus brings God’s mercy to all people and provides the grace for all people to live holy lives in the presence of God.
Throughout the Bible, God offers us peace. What is this peace that God offers, and why does it seem so difficult to find?
Our concept of peace usually focuses on the lack of war and all people living in harmony. This is definitely an aspect of God’s peace, but I think that God is calling us to a much deeper recognition of what it means to live in peace. God desires each of us to live in God’s peace- to allow God to be present in our lives in such a way that we obey all of God’s decrees and find forgiveness in God’s great mercy. The peace that arises from this position of faith is based upon our belief that we have nothing to fear, since God is with us despite what difficulties we face. Jesus invites us to “not let your hearts be troubled” because this great God of love is always with us. If we can truly live from this place of deep trust, we can find a peace beyond any that the world promises. This is the eternal covenant of peace that God has offered, since the beginning of time.
When we become aware of this peace and are able to live life within its dimensions, then we become instruments of bringing peace to the world around us. I know that I may not be able to have a significant impact on bringing peace to the war in Ukraine, but I can be a source of mercy and forgiveness for the people in my life, thereby being a source of peace. If I allow God’s grace and presence to direct my thoughts and actions, then the universal peace that God has promised becomes one step closer to being brought to fullness. Although this seems like such a miniscule effort in reaching this goal of bringing all people and nations together in peace, I believe this is where God is calling each of us to begin the work. As the refrain from a famous song proclaims, “Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.”
God of peace, Jesus brings Your presence to us and our world. Through the grace of Your Spirit, help us to live in Your love and mercy and become conduits of Your peace for all around us. May we work with You to bring lasting peace and communion for all nations, we pray this in Christ’s name. AMEN.
Marylynn Herchline