Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
“How is your peace?”
The direct Hebrew translation of asking, “How are you?” in English is, “How is your peace?”
So, since we are on the topic, how is your peace today? Are you well, stable, whole?
During the eighth century BCE, when God spoke through the prophet Micah, corrupt leadership in ancient Israel’s social, political, and religious spheres wrecked the stability and wellbeing of the common people. Greedy and self-righteous landowners exploited the peasant farmers. Their wickedness caused considerable suffering among the poorest who had no agency to exact justice. The absence of righteousness among those in power led to God’s judgement upon Israel: a military from a foreign land would invade and destroy Jerusalem (2: 1-4; 3:12).
However, God would not let his children lose their peace. Zion, though brought to ruin, would be rebuilt and eventually thrive. In Micah 5:1-5a, the prophet delivers a message of restoration and salvation: a Shepherd King, born in Bethlehem, will bring stability and peace, shalom, to the land.
Micah continues to describe the Shepherd King as one whose origins are from “ancient times” (5:2). The Hebrew for this phrase may also mean “everlasting.” Remarkably, hundreds of years before Jesus’s birth, Micah disclosed the eternal nature of the Messiah, who is without beginning or end.
We echo Micah’s words when we pray the Nicene Creed, that Jesus is “begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father.” Jesus, timeless, yet also the Alpha and the Omega.
Lastly, Micah states that the Messiah “shall be peace.” The prophet does not use peace as an adjective to describe the Shepherd King, such as “peaceful Ruler.” No, Micah simply declares that the messiah will be peace.
Jesus is the incarnation of all that is well, stable, and whole – of peace itself. We find peace whenever we encounter Jesus, and vice-versa.
So, since we are on the topic, how is your peace today? Are you well, stable, whole? Jesus is asking, “How is your peace?” How do you respond? Perhaps these words from Isaiah will help start your prayer:
People with their minds set on you,
you keep completely whole,
Steady on their feet,
because they keep at it and don’t quit.
Depend on God and keep at it
Because in the Lord God you have a sure thing.
-Isaiah 26:3-4 (MSG)
-Rachael Griggs