Extracts from an article by Fr. Gerard Condon published in The Sacred Heart Messenger on April 2024

In this reflection Fr. Gerard Condon revisits the great Easter message of Peace . In John 20: 19 -31 where the appearance of Jesus to his disciples is recorded , We hear the words “Peace be with you” spoken three times by the risen Christ. The author notes that “Peace” would become “the abiding sign of his presence among them.”

Extracts

The Greeks understood “Peace” as a calm optimism, a blissful feeling

The Stoic philosophers thought that peace could be achieved by detaching ourselves from excessive feelings or concerns.

The Epicureans… sought peace through experiences of pleasure. Theirs was the kind of temporary peace that can be had through the abuse of alcohol or tranquilizers

The Romans developed another concept of peace, The Roman peace, the pax Romana, centered on the citizen’s allegiance to the State… Writing in the first century the historian Tacitus said of the imperial legions, “They make a desert and call it ‘peace.”

The Hebrew concept of “Peace” Shalom refers to a person being at right relationships with themselves, with others and with God. This is a peace that the world cannot give (Jn 14:27)

The Risen Christ has shed his peaceful light on all creation.

Peace, perfect peace, is the gift of Christ our Lord,
Peace, perfect peace, is the gift of Christ our Lord.
Thus, says the Lord, will the world know my friends,
Peace, perfect peace, is the gift of Christ our Lord.

©1976  Kevin Mayhew

 

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