PEACE
"Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests" (Luke 2:14)
As the shepherds were “keeping the night watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. The angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.’ 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.’” (Luke 2:8-14)
The message of the Angels is familiar to most of us. It is sung it at Mass most Sundays. It is re-enacted in Christmas plays. It is adorned in season’s greetings and holiday decorations. However, the peace proclaimed by the Angels is deeper than mere emotion. The Holy Father explains: “At this point, we must consider a further aspect of the angels’ message. … The kingdom that Jesus proclaimed, the kingdom of God, is of another kind. It applies not just to the Mediterranean region and not just to a particular era. It applies to man in the depths of his being, and it opens him toward the true God. The peace of Jesus is a peace that the world cannot give (cf. John 14: 27).” [9] In other words, this peace is not “the mere absence of conflict but a peace rooted in one's reconciliation with God.” [10] True peace is “reconciliation with God” and “applies to man in the depths of his being”. True peace requires that I am open “toward the true God.”
Many of us, when we really look within, may find places in our heart where we are not open toward God. Could be patterns of self-sufficiency. Could be memories of sin or shame. Could be buried grief because God didn’t answer our prayer the way we wanted. Could be unconfessed fear that God won’t love us “there”. Could be the fear of really going all the way with God and becoming “one of those people” whose total lives are all about Jesus. Sometimes we don’t want to look within because to do so would take me to “the depths of (my) being” and “open (me) toward the true God”. However, at the same time you and I make the commitment to read reflections like this. We show up. We do want more. We do long for peace … and, at the same time, we could be a little afraid of where true peace would take us.
Merry Christmas. Again today, I mean this: Merry Christmas. “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11) The child in the manger is what you are searching for. Jesus was laid in a manger, a feeding trough, because He is the food that quenches the deepest hunger of the human heart. In the manger we see the very thing that we are all searching for. Again, Merry Christmas. The baby grows up and becomes a man … and not merely a man, but a savior. When the Father took the initiative to enter into the human race, He took the initiative to enter into our lives … into your life. He longs to give you peace, true peace.
Trust the process. While today’s reflection might call you to “the depths” of your heart, be not afraid. Where do you need peace? Where specifically in your life are you most in need of peace? Where specifically in your life are you most in need of reconciliation with God? What places in your heart need to be open toward God? He wants to give you peace. Be not afraid.
For your prayer
The Psalms are the sacred music of a chosen people. The Psalms were written as songs to praise God. Imagine how the shepherds would have sung Psalm 118. Begin by slowly reading Psalm 118:1-14. Read it a few times. Imagine the shepherds singing this Psalm after the Angel appeared to them. Now, prayerfully imagine the scene in Luke 2:9. Be in the scene. Be with the shepherds. Be with them as the Angel comes. Be with them as the glory of the Lord shone around them. Be with them as they hear God speaking through the Angel.
Today's prayer
"Father, I long for peace. Give me the grace I need to find you and your mercy where I most need it."
[9] Pope Benedict XVI, Jesus of Nazareth: The Infancy Narratives, page 73
[10] Scott Hahn, Curtis Mitch, and Dennis Walters, The Ignatius Catholic Study Bible New Testament, page 110.
© Fr. Mark Toups, 2012. Expressed written permission required for duplication.
[10] Scott Hahn, Curtis Mitch, and Dennis Walters, The Ignatius Catholic Study Bible New Testament, page 110.
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