by Fr. John Martin Shimkus, O.S.B.

     We are rightly disturbed to hear the "Prince of Peace" announcing that he has come to establish, not peace, but division.  This Sunday's reading from Luke's gospel has Jesus speaking of households divided, three against two, two against three; families divided, fathers against their sons, and sons against their fathers, mothers against daughters, etc.  Those who have experienced this kind of division in their families know just how terrible this can be; yet behind these seemingly discouraging words, we can still find the message of peace Jesus brings.

     First of all, Jesus often uses exaggeration to make a point.  Jesus overemphasizes a point in order to make a stronger impression on his hearers.  You may remember the saying about how you should pluck out your eye if it causes you to sin, or maybe cut off your hand.  But contrary to what it sounds like, Jesus was not teaching us to mutilate ourselves; he was teaching us to avoid the evil of sin at all costs.

     Likewise, when Jesus says he has come to bring division, he is not saying it is his intention to bring division; rather he is saying that in the process of bringing true peace, division will naturally happen.  The peace Jesus brings is not a superficial peace, but a very deep peace; a peace based on truth and justice and mercy.  And when he comes preaching that kind of peace, when he comes living in truth and justice and mercy - that is what meets with resistance and conflict and division.  Jesus is not saying he wants these conflicts; he is warning us that the more faithful we are to his message of peace, the more likely we will experience opposition and division in our own lives.

     And yet, given this reality, the peace of Christ does not leave us, even in the midst of tension and conflict with others.  In fact, Christ’s peace can always be ours for the asking.  Christ’s peace is given to all whom he calls follow him; as he calls us he also promises to be with us and to supply us with that peace the world cannot give.

     That peace comes, first of all, when we strive to be right with God and with our neighbor; when we are willing to seek reconciliation, as much as we possibly can.  So many conflicts happen and persist because nobody will admit that they are wrong or at fault - even in part.  So the first step on the way of peace is to admit our own faults - without apologizing for the truth - and so be the initiator of reconciliation.

     Also, we find peace by living our faith in love - the only true way to live the faith.  The witness of our faith is strongest and most convincing when we act in a loving way toward others, including those with whom we disagree.  It’s true that sometimes situations call for strong words to get our point across, but if that's the only way we know of communicating, then we've missed the whole message of the gospel; always our communication must begin with love, so that our words will further the cause of peace, and our witness will be effective in bringing others to Christ.

     And, of course, we experience the peace of Christ by becoming men and women of prayer. Many of you know this already, that if we want to have peace, we must build a relationship with the Bringer of peace.  If we want to find the Prince of Peace amidst the trials and conflicts of daily life, we must look for him first in the peace and quiet of prayer.

     Being right with God and neighbor, giving loving witness to our faith and spending time in prayer: if we do these things, Christ provides us with the peace we need in every circumstance; and even in the midst of the conflicts and divisions that are often our lot as Christians, we will have peace.  For Jesus is always waiting to show himself the True Prince of Peace and to share with us a peace the world cannot give.

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