Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Easter
Readings for Tuesday the 5th Week of Easter
First Published: Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Pax Tacum
Reflection:
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
Not as the world gives do I give it to you.
This is probably the understatement of two millennia. Besides giving us forgiveness (which is a necessary first step toward achieving peace) and his body and blood so that he could be in us and we in him, peace is a most precious gift. It is a gift we can enjoy both in this world and in the next.
The peace of Christ is so different it should probably have its own name. I know in the modern Church there is a peace movement called Pax Christi and several Christian communities have that name. But it seems to me that just the word peace, even when modified by Christs title does not convey the wonder of that state of being.
The peace Christ gives is a deep sense of love and contentment. It is knowledge that God infuses us with his love and nothing in this world can harm us as long as we remain in that state of grace[1]. The peace of Christ allowed the martyrs to go joyfully to death and feel no pain how could they, the Lord himself had surrounded them with a shield of pure love that defeated even death. It is this complete sense of peace in Christ that allows the Apostles to heal the sick and perform all sorts of signs in the name of Jesus.
I can almost picture the process and have heard it referred to as a spiritual high by some. We must let ourselves be completely subservient to the will of God and that is something rare and difficult to do. Charismatic Christians seek it constantly but even they must be very careful of spiritual hedonism. You see the peace of Christ makes one feel so wonderful that once that sense of peace is achieved it is a constant goal perhaps for purposes other than the glory of the Father.
I am not sure if the true and complete peace of Christ can be achieved on earth. Perhaps it is one of those completely transformative events that can only occur when we are face to face with the Son of God. But it we can feel some part of it on earth. It is a sense of oneness with God and of being infused with the Holy Spirit. There is no fear, doubt, and there can be no hatred because that is anathema to God.
If we can put aside the unworthy attitudes of hate, envy, greed, and sloth, and let the faith, guided by the Holy Spirit, place within us the certainty that we are walking with God and he is in us then His peace arrives like a thunderclap of serenity and we are truly at peace. Ironically-Pax
[1] I think of Grace as being totally in communion with the Triune God. That means a oneness that can only come from being reconciled with him sacra mentally and spirutally.
Readings for Tuesday the 5th Week of Easter
First Published: Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Pax Tacum
Reflection:
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
Not as the world gives do I give it to you.
This is probably the understatement of two millennia. Besides giving us forgiveness (which is a necessary first step toward achieving peace) and his body and blood so that he could be in us and we in him, peace is a most precious gift. It is a gift we can enjoy both in this world and in the next.
The peace of Christ is so different it should probably have its own name. I know in the modern Church there is a peace movement called Pax Christi and several Christian communities have that name. But it seems to me that just the word peace, even when modified by Christs title does not convey the wonder of that state of being.
The peace Christ gives is a deep sense of love and contentment. It is knowledge that God infuses us with his love and nothing in this world can harm us as long as we remain in that state of grace[1]. The peace of Christ allowed the martyrs to go joyfully to death and feel no pain how could they, the Lord himself had surrounded them with a shield of pure love that defeated even death. It is this complete sense of peace in Christ that allows the Apostles to heal the sick and perform all sorts of signs in the name of Jesus.
I can almost picture the process and have heard it referred to as a spiritual high by some. We must let ourselves be completely subservient to the will of God and that is something rare and difficult to do. Charismatic Christians seek it constantly but even they must be very careful of spiritual hedonism. You see the peace of Christ makes one feel so wonderful that once that sense of peace is achieved it is a constant goal perhaps for purposes other than the glory of the Father.
I am not sure if the true and complete peace of Christ can be achieved on earth. Perhaps it is one of those completely transformative events that can only occur when we are face to face with the Son of God. But it we can feel some part of it on earth. It is a sense of oneness with God and of being infused with the Holy Spirit. There is no fear, doubt, and there can be no hatred because that is anathema to God.
If we can put aside the unworthy attitudes of hate, envy, greed, and sloth, and let the faith, guided by the Holy Spirit, place within us the certainty that we are walking with God and he is in us then His peace arrives like a thunderclap of serenity and we are truly at peace. Ironically-Pax
[1] I think of Grace as being totally in communion with the Triune God. That means a oneness that can only come from being reconciled with him sacra mentally and spirutally.
posted by Deacon Jim | 2:50 AM
1 Comments:
PEACE OF CHRIST
About 3 years ago I dropped into a black hole – four months of absolute terror. I wanted to end my life, but somehow [Holy Spirit], I reached out to a friend who took me to hospital. I had three visits [hospital] in four months – I actually thought I was in hell. I imagine I was going through some sort of metamorphosis [mental, physical & spiritual]. I had been seeing a therapist [1994] on a regular basis, up until this point in time. I actually thought I would be locked away – but the hospital staff was very supportive [I had no control over my process]. I was released from hospital 16th September 1994, but my fear, pain & shame had only subsided a little. I remember this particular morning waking up [home] & my process would start up again [fear, pain, & shame]. No one could help me, not even my therapist [I was terrified]. I asked Jesus Christ to have mercy on me & forgive me my sins. Slowly, all my fear has dissipated & I believe Jesus delivered me from my “psychological prison.” I am a practicing Catholic & the Holy Spirit is my friend & strength; every day since then has been a joy & blessing. I deserve to go to hell for the life I have led, but Jesus through His sacrifice on the cross, delivered me from my inequities. John 3: 8, John 15: 26, are verses I can relate to, organically. He’s a real person who is with me all the time. I have so much joy & peace in my life, today, after a childhood spent in orphanages [England & Australia]. God LOVES me so much. Fear, pain, & shame, are no longer my constant companions. I just wanted to share my experience with you [Luke 8: 16 – 17].
Peace Be With You
Micky
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