Peaceful power

Colossians 3:12-17; Psalm 150 let everything that breathes praise the lord; Luke 6:27-38

The gospel begins today, "Jesus said to his disciples..."

"Jesus said to his disciples" should never be taken as a past action but for us who hear it should always be new, fresh, and now...Jesus speaks to his disciples as we hear his words...

If we keep Jesus' words in the past then we are less likely to hear them as they are.

There is a part of the mass that speaks directly to this reality.  As we pray the mass and the bread and wine is been consecrated, Jesus is present and we unite our hearts and enter into the "Lord's prayer."

After the "Our Father" the priest prays the "deliver us Lord from every evil and and grant us peace in our day, in your mercy..."

Then together we all pray "For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever."

Then the priest prays these words, "Lord Jesus Christ you said to your apostles: I leave you peace, my peace I give you.  Look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church, and grant us the peace and the unity of your kingdom where you live for ever and ever.  Amen."

The very next gesture of the priest is to give the "Peace of the Lord" to those who are gathered, "Peace of the Lord be with you always."

This gesture in a real sense speaks to the reality that Jesus speaks to us in the present not the past.  It also shows to us that we are now walking in the footsteps of the apostles and are called to bring that peace to the world. 

In receiving the peace of the Lord and allowing  it to control our hearts we are empowered to not just hear the words of JEsus but put them into action, we are empowered to live the words of Jesus. 

It is the peace of the Lord that enables us to hear the words and not let them fall silent.

Thus, we are empowered to carry that zeal with us into our homes, our jobs, our world; we are strengthen to truly do as Jesus says, "Love our enemies, do good to those who hate us, bless those who curse us, pray for those who mistreat us."  

Thus, we are able to "see everyone without seeing anyone."  That is we can look upon those we meet with the eyes and zeal of Jesus, seeking to lead souls back to God with words of encouragement, words of challenge, words of rebuke, words of silence, words of instruction, words of peace all in the name of the Love of God. 

In receiving the peace of the Lord we are able to love those who God loves on God's terms. 

St. Paul says, "Let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were called in one Body.  And be thankful.  Let the word of Christ dwell richly in your hearts."

We bring peace because we receive peace and in receiving peace we are finally able to love joyfully.