What Makes for Peace

Homily for Wednesday of the Thirty-Third Week in Ordinary Time

“If today you only knew what makes for peace.” These words, uttered by Jesus, are directed toward the citizens of Jerusalem, but they are also directed toward us. The pursuit of peace is a multi-pronged effort. All of us desire peace within ourselves, peace within our local community, and peace throughout the world. Oftentimes, prayers for peace have become part of our universal prayer at the Eucharist. Do we truly understand what makes for peace in any of these situations?

At the end of the Gospel text for this day, Jesus remarks that the people of his day missed the opportunity for peace because they did not recognize who he was. God had visited the people of Israel through the incarnation of Jesus. Jesus is the source of peace. True peace can only be found when we recognize Jesus. His words, his constant teaching, and his invitations must be heeded if we are ever to find peace in our lives, in our communities, and in our world.

We will have peace if we train ourselves to recognize his presence and accustom ourselves to living in relationship with him. We will have peace when we get in the habit of saying “no” to everything large that leads us away from Jesus. When we have peace within ourselves, then we can be people who spread peace all around us.

Each time we receive Jesus in the Eucharist, we receive a visit from the Prince of Peace. In these special moments, we have the opportunity to rest in his presence. Let us ask him to grant us eyes of faith to recognize him now and throughout our day so we can learn what truly makes for peace.