Gospel of Matthew, chapter 5:9

What is peace? Is it the cessation of hostilities or is it calmness of soul? Wherever you go, there will always be strife and hostilities. Nations will be at war against nations; families will be divided over inheritance; family members will be pitted against each other; daughter-in-law against Mother-in-law, and son-in-law against Father-in-law. Yet, people of good will will always continue to strive for peace; to make of their world a better place; to create unity and harmony among nations and among one another. That is the nature of life on planet earth. We strive for peace in the midst of a fractured world. And, so I ask: what is peace?

I would like to share with you a story about the meaning of peace.

There once was a ruler who offered a prize to the artist who would paint the best picture of peace. Many artists tried. The ruler looked at all the pictures. But there were only two he really liked, and he had to choose between them.

One picture was of a calm lake. The lake was a perfect mirror with peaceful towering mountains all around it. Overhead was a blue sky with fluffy white clouds. All who saw this picture thought that it was a perfect picture of peace.

The other picture had mountains, too. But these were rugged and bare. Above was a stormy sky, from which rain fell and in which lightning flashed. Down the side of the mountain tumbled a foaming waterfall. This did not look peaceful at all to those who saw it.

But when the ruler looked closely, he saw behind the waterfall a tiny bush growing in a crack in the rock. In the bush, a mother bird had built her nest there. In the midst of the threatening torrent of water, and stormy sky, sat the mother bird on her nest-in perfect peace.

Which picture do you think won the prize? The ruler chose the second picture. Do you know why?

He chose the second picture because it was true to life. Peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, hard work, or strife. Peace means to be in the midst of all those demanding things and still be calm in your heart.

The Lord says in Matthew, chapter 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called children of God,” but in Matthew chapter 10:34, He also says “do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but division.”

To achieve true peace, we have to endure trial and division; we have to endure rejection even within our families for the sake of the kingdom. But, true peace comes to those who can remain calm when all around them is falling asunder; true peace comes to those who are secure in their allegiance to Christ, the Prince of Peace.

As we prepare to let the peace of Christ reign in our hearts this Lent, I wish all my readers the peace of Christ that surpasses all understanding.

“Blessed are the peacemaker.”

Fr. Duffy’s blog.