Author: Beth Zanotelli, Family Life Coordinator for the Diocese of Palm Beach
There are several times during the Holy Mass when Christ offers us His peace. At the beginning, right after the Sign of the Cross, the priest has the option to say: “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” and we respond, “And with your Spirit.” After the ‘Our Father’, again the celebrant responds with a message of ‘peace’ when he says, “Deliver us, Lord, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, in your mercy, free us from sin and save us from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.” The most obvious exchange is when we offer each other a Sign of Peace. The words from the priest celebrant again stress the importance of peace. Here he shares the words of Jesus when he says, “Peace, I leave you, my peace I give you, look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church, and graciously grant her peace and unity in accordance with your will.” After this, we are invited to share a gesture of peace. This gesture is the same peace we just received from Jesus!
Like each part of the Holy Mass, the Sign of Peace has biblical roots. In Matthew 5:23-24 we are reminded, “If you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother and then come and offer your gift.” Offering peace is not just a state of mind, it is an action. Like forgiveness, peace begins with a person. If we are to receive Jesus in the Eucharist, and if we desire to share in His holiness, we must have the courage to clean up the mistakes and misunderstandings we have created in our lives. In the letter to the Hebrews, we are cautioned to persevere and not be weak. Chapter 12:10-12 is a great reminder, that if we want to be holy, if we desire true peace, we must be disciplined. “They disciplined us for a short time as seemed right to them, but He does so for our benefit, in order that we may share His holiness. At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it.” We all desire the peaceful fruit of holiness, we all desire peace.
There are many ways to achieve peace. Life is filled with balancing, juggling, and avoiding. We try to balance holiness and the world. We juggle planning as we look forward, learning from our past, while we live in the present moment. We continuously try to avoid those things that rob us of our peace. To live in the present moment means we will have to stop rushing around, we need to find time to rest and reset. To live a life of holiness means we need to first, trust in God’s Mercy, then, learn to forgive one another, and most importantly forgive ourselves. Finally, to achieve peace, you must be an active participant. In our families we must share our thoughts and feelings, we must forgive one another, we must be patient with one another, and we must find mutual respect. In the hectic noisiness of each day, we need to find our Sabbath moments. We won’t be able to receive the graces of God’s peace if our lives are too busy. We need to find moments to be thankful and offer a prayer. Jesus wants to help us build peace -in our hearts – in our relationships – and in our families!
In preparation for Christmas, remember what we prepare for – the coming of the Prince of Peace! In Philippians 4:4-7 we are instructed, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
Here’s what the Scriptures have to say:
Luke 2:13-14 –And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Hebrews 12:10-12 – They disciplined us for a short time as seemed right to them, but he does so for our benefit, in order that we may share this holiness. At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it. So, strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees. Make straight paths for your feet, that what is lame may not be dislocated but healed.
Hebrews 12: 14-15 – Strive for peace with everyone, and for that holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one be deprived of the grace of God, that no bitter root spring up and cause trouble
Proverbs 12:20 – Deceit is in the hands of those who plot evil, but those who counsel peace have joy.
Matthew 5:23-24 – If you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come to offer your gift.
Philippians 4:4-7 – Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
Thank you Beth. Peace be with you🙏