Archived Articles by Father Rob Smith

"You Will Hear of Wars and Rumors of Wars." ~Matthew 24:6 ~

On Tuesday, September 11th, our illusion of peace was shattered by horrific events. The scenes that scrolled across our television sets are indelibly impressed on our memories as few other scenes in our life times have been. We had been living in an illusion of peace that most of the rest of the world has not shared. Not since the War of 1812-1814 has there been warfare on mainland American soil. Not since Pearl Harbor has America been attacked viciously and without due warning. This time it was primarily civilians who bore the brunt of hatred.

Holy Scripture has much to say about peace. Jesus himself said, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you: not as the world gives do I give you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." The peace that Jesus gives is the peace of God celebrated in an old hymn.

They cast their nets in Galilee Just off the hills of brown;
Such happy simple fisher-folk, Before the Lord came down.
Content, peaceful fishermen, Before they ever knew
The peace of God that filled their hearts Brimful and broke them too.
Young John who trimmed the flapping sail, Homeless, in Patmos died.
Peter, who hauled the teaming net, Head-down was crucified.
The peace of God, it is no peace, But strife closed in the sod.
Yet, brothers, pray for but one thing-The marvelous peace of God.

The peace of God is not absence of conflict, placidity, a moonlit drift on calm waters. The world is really never like that for very long. Rather the peace of God is a hard won peace that is found in the midst of conflict. In Leviticus 26:6-8 the Lord says,

"I will give peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and none will make you afraid; I will rid the land of evil beasts, and the sword will not go through your land. You will chase your enemies, and they shall fall by the sword before you. Five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight; your enemies shall fall by the sword before you."

The peace of God is first and foremost an internal peace, a peace of the heart given as a grace of God with the gift of His presence. If you would have peace lean your heart upon God who is the Author of peace. Peace in the world follows by the joint action of God and man. God says, "Will give peace," and "You shall chase your enemies, and they shall fall by the sword." But Scripture is also clear that individual and personal revenge is not given to men. "Vengeance is Mine," says the Lord (Deut. 32:35). In ordinary interpersonal exchanges Jesus clearly says, "whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also" (Matthew 5:39). Personal revenge is not a luxury granted to Christians. But the question must be broached from a more balanced New Testament position, "How does the Lord take vengeance on evil?" In Romans 13:4 St. Paul is very clear about the responsibility and authority of rulers, "if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil." Christians will be called into active service in our armed forces, even as they are called into the police and other protective agencies, not to hate, but to do their duty. Even the fictional godfather said, "Don't hate your enemies. It only clouds your judgment" (Godfather III). For the rest of us the responsibility is clear. Pray! For our President, for the leaders of Government, for each other, and even for our enemies, and in praying we are called to lean ourselves upon God and discover the marvelous peace of God.
~ Father Rob +

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