peace talks
"It is He Who is our Peace, and Who made the two of us one by breaking down the barrier of hostility that kept us apart." —Ephesians 2:14
Micah prophesied that the Messiah would not only be peaceful or make peace but that He would be Peace (Mi 5:4). Jesus is the fulfillment of Micah's prophecy, for when Jesus was born the angels sang: "Peace on earth" (Lk 2:14). Moreover, Jesus began the Sermon on the Mount, the quintessence of His preaching, by proclaiming: "Blest too the peacemakers; they shall be called sons of God" (Mt 5:9). On the night before He died, Jesus announced that He would leave peace to His disciples in His last will and testament (Jn 14:27). Considering all this and more, Paul came to the conclusion that Jesus "is our Peace" (Eph 2:14), Who establishes peace (Eph 2:15) and announces "peace to you who were far off, and to those who were near" (Eph 2:17).
It is clear that Jesus is Peace. But is He your Peace? For this to be so, we must follow Jesus by making peace through the blood of the cross (Col 1:20). For Jesus to be our Peace, we must accept Jesus as our Peace by forgiving, loving, and reconciling with everyone, including our enemies. We make Jesus our Peace at the cross. Take up the cross of Peace, your Peace.
Prayer: Father, give me peace on earth and in heaven forever.
Promise: "I will appoint shepherds for them who will shepherd them so that they need no longer fear and tremble; and none shall be missing, says the Lord." —Jer 23:4
Praise: The risen Christ's first words to His disciples were: "Peace be with you" (Jn 20:19).
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our tape Jesus and Peace on audio AV 42-1 or video V-42.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, December 29, 2002
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 31, 2002