"Never again war!"

If you can travel with me for a moment back to 1965, when I was all of 14 years old, not long after the close of the Second Vatican Council, I well remember Pope Paul VI and his historic visit to the United States and specifically to the United Nations in New York. It was the first time a reigning pontiff ever visited the Americas. I was excited and impressed. Maybe not typical 14 year old behavior but hey, that was me.

The Pope flew to New York to visit the United Nations in a plea for world peace. He addressed that august assembly and spoke to them in French. The most often quoted line from that memorable speech is, “No more war, never again war. Peace, it is peace that must guide the destinies of people and of all mankind.” I think I remember the Pope also gently pounded on the podium before him to emphasize his point. He meant exactly what he said.

I watched that speech by the Pope on television with my family, in black and white of course, and to this day it remains a vivid childhood memory. World conditions were different in those days. Our greatest threat was the Soviet Union and Communism. We were still reeling from the assassination of President Kennedy and the Vietnam War was on the rise. But, Paul VI’s words were timely then and they still hold true today. I don’t think there is any desire greater than our hunger for peace among all peoples.

In today’s Gospel from John 14: 27-31, we hear Jesus say to his disciples: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you . . .” Obviously, on the mind of Pope Paul was these words of Jesus but peace cannot be just words. The Pope called for action between nations to, “lay down your arms, your weapons of war!” Sadly, that speech made little difference but his words were on the table. They had been spoken with force and they remain in time; a never ending challenge. If the walls of the general assembly could speak, we would hear those words proclaimed in that chamber, along with others far less comforting.

While we may not feel personally responsible for the establishment of world peace, we certainly do have a duty, not an option, to create peaceful relationships between everyone we encounter. Yet, despite the best and most heroic of efforts, it seems we can only bring temporary peace. It is a daily decision we need to make as to how we will respond to evil, to rebuke, to judgment, to personal hurt. What kind of peace did Jesus promise?

The peace that Jesus promises is a spiritual, interior sense of conviction, love, and his life. It is hard pressed to put it into words but when you find that interior sense of God’s presence, you know it. St. Ignatius referred to “consolation.” We might find the best example right in our liturgy. As we reach out to our brothers and sisters assembled with us, the priest extends, “The peace of the Lord be with you.” Notice, it is the “peace of the Lord.” It isn’t the priest’s peace, the world’s peace, or the peace offered by any Pope.

It is this same peace which Jesus extends to his Apostles and all believers. As being the peace of the Lord, another way to imagine it might be to say to those around you, “I wish you God’s entire blessing.” or “May the fullness of God be with you.” or “May you experience all that God desires for you.” or “May you be reconciled to God and find life in him.” Our Jewish brethren have a beautiful and simple word which means the same, “Shalom.” If we all found true Shalom in our individual lives, imagine what the world might be like. If we all wished for one another what God wishes for us, think of the possibilities. Maybe it’s just Pollyannaish to think of this but don’t we have to start somewhere? We need to always take the higher road and rise above our lower temptations.

A few years back, I had an unexpected confrontation with a disgruntled parishioner (not at my present parish). He proceeded to tell me, “You’re the worst pastor this parish has ever had!” He sincerely felt I was and wanted me to know it. He then ticked off examples that, according to his perspective, supported his assessment. He used the words, “my evaluation of you.” Is he my Bishop?

What do you say? I know what I thought and what I wanted to do to him. I’ll leave it to your imagination on that one. However, I did know that I was not ready to offer him the peace of Jesus by any means and I withheld any wish of shalom! What did I do? Well, once he left, as I escorted him out of my office, I calmed down and got my act together. I took his name to prayer before the Blessed Sacrament because it was the only place I could find peace. Although our relationship for the remainder of my time in that parish was one of distance, I came to a point where I could wish him no harm. But could I truly wish him God’s peace? I tried my best.

Jesus’ wish for us and for all we meet is to rise above our human hurts and limitations. With his grace and in the power of his Spirit, may we never grow weary in our effort to create the peace only Jesus can bring.