A man and God are
having a conversation. The man says “Lord what is a million years like for you?”
God answers, “A million years is but a second to me.” The man thinks about it
and then asks, “Lord, what then is a million dollars to you?” God answers, “That
is like a penny to me.” The man smiled
and asks one more question “Then Lord, May I have a penny?” God answered him, “Of
course my child, in just a second.”
I thought about this
story during my reflection on these readings. Not thinking about what is time
or about what is money; but, what is peace to God? Look at the world we live
in.
The Bible tells us
that from the beginning, Jesus brought peace. “Peace be with you,” the greeting
to Mary. “Peace be with you,” the greeting to the shepherds in the field. Last
week, the Gospel told how the resurrected Christ appeared in the room behind
closed doors with, “Peace be with you.” Today, the Gospel tells the same.
Can you imagine that
room? Two disciples had just seen Jesus and ran as fast as they could from
Emmaus to Jerusalem to the eleven. It was a room full of excitement, anxious
chatter, and probably confusion. Then Christ Jesus comes and soothes them
saying simply, “Peace be with you.”
The word Jesus used would
have been “shalom.” It means “peace be with you.” Shalom is peace. It’s welcome.
It’s hello and goodbye. But Jesus’ shalom is so much more.
Shalom from Jesus
brings well-being and wholeness. It’s a blessing of completeness and
prosperity. It is shalom that came from the peace and love Jesus taught.
The resurrected Christ
brings shalom (well-being, wholeness, and completeness) between humanity and
God. He brings it to a humanity that denied him; humanity that ran when trouble
came and a humanity that didn’t understand. And Christ brings shalom to the humanity
that Peter preached to at the temple; the ones who chose another and put Jesus
to death on the cross.
All of these are the
same people I am today when I deny him by looking away; not seeing the poor,
the hungry, the sick, or those in prison. The same people I am today, when I choose
another by finding it convenient to miss mass; but, inconvenient to stay past
the hour. The same people who crucify with time to text or gossip; but, no time
to stop and pray.
Shalom “peace be
with you,” is what Jesus brings. He brought its promise to the world as a
child. “Peace be with you” was the promise and blessing to the Virgin Mary.
Shalom a promise and blessing to poor outcast shepherds.
The risen Christ
brings shalom to the world. He brings it to those behind closed doors like scared,
hiding, and persecuted disciples. He brings shalom to those trying to
understand and know his truth.
The risen Christ brings
shalom of restoration, completeness, and goodness. He brings shalom “peace be
with you” as God’s grace and righteousness. Shalom is in our justification and
redemption. Shalom is the forgiveness of sins. These bring wholeness,
soundness, tranquility, fullness, rest, perfection and harmony. Shalom of
Christ is peace. It is a complete peace.
We really cannot find
adequate words for the divine; because what Christ brought to that room and to
us is all these words I have used and much, much, more. Like the man who asks
God for just a penny, a little bit of God’s peace is more than we could hope
for in our lifetime. The difference is God does not say, in second, because he
has already given us peace. Christ brings divine shalom of God; Christ Jesus is
God and He brings the peace of God to each and every one of us who believes in
him.
The coming of Christ
Jesus to our lives, brings shalom, great peace and blessing; just like to Mary
or the shepherds, just like to those first disciples. He brings shalom in the Eucharist;
found by the two disciples in the breaking of the bread. He brings great peace in
the forgiveness of reconciliation. He brings peace in quietness of prayer, adoration,
and reflection.
Our Lord always
brings shalom “peace be with you.” We are told by our faith that if we seek Him,
He will come to us. Shalom, May you find the Peace of our Lord Jesus Christ and
may He be with you always.
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