How to find Peace?

Today’s Gospel Text:  And when he drew near and saw the city he wept over it, 42 saying, "Would that even today you knew the things that make for peace! But now they are hid from your eyes. 43 For the days shall come upon you, when your enemies will cast up a bank about you and surround you, and hem you in on every side, 44 and dash you to the ground, you and your children within you, and they will not leave one stone upon another in you; because you did not know the time of your visitation." Luke 19:41-44

Reflection: What is this peace that Jesus is talking about?

"Would that even today you knew the things that make for peace! (vs. 42a)

What is it that makes for peace? Is it inter-religious dialogue – alas for the confidence and arrogance of man in their abilities to connive and deceive, to look out for a win-win settlement and accomplish peace. 

Is it dialogue between nations and warring parties? Yes these do bring about peace but a short sighted, fragile peace, based on mortal wisdom and crafty understanding of the human person created in the image and likeness of God and yet fallen from grace.

    

The Word of God warns us about such a confidence in our abilities when it reveals: “When people say, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them as travail comes upon a woman with child, and there will be no escape.”  1 Thess 5:3

How seriously has humanity taken this question of Jesus to heart and sought to find answer in it? 

Leave aside the leaders of the world, there are some leaders in the church today who have missed out on this element and give too much importance to dialogue to achieve world peace: "But now they are hid from your eyes." (vs. 42b)

Seeing the state of affairs, knowing from what Jesus has revealed, it is left to each individual to accomplish this peace in their hearts by allowing the prince of peace, Jesus Christ, to reign in their hearts and mind. In this we have no excuse.

What is that thing that makes for peace, if not our reconciliation with God, through the blood of sacrifice offered on the cross by Jesus?

For those who are already Christians, it is offered through the sacraments of the church and the liturgical cycle which are moments of grace to draw closer to the prince of peace, Jesus Christ.

To the world Christ Jesus, who has spread his arms wide open for all ages, beckons each one to come and find peace at the foot of his cross.

Prayer: Lord, help me to avail of the graces you offer to be reconciled to you and also to proclaim your cross as God’s instrument to reconcile mankind to himself and thus find peace.

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