SAINT JEROME, PRIEST AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH (MEMORIAL)

Into whatever house you enter, first say, “Peace to this household.”

We all know how wonderful it feels to be around someone who is peaceful. Just as someone who is stressed can spread that stress to their environment, someone who is at peace can be a source of peace, comfort, and assurance to the people around them.

This seems to be the principle behind today’s first reading (Luke 10:1-12), when Jesus instructed his disciples to offer peace to each house they visited. Note that Jesus didn’t tell them to begin by offering food, forgiveness, or healing; their job was to begin with peace. That was—and still is—one of the most effective ways to soften people’s hearts and help open them to the good news of the gospel. Jesus loves to spread his peace through the witness of his people—people like us.

We know that Jesus wants to give us his peace as we draw close to him in prayer. We know that he promises us a peace that the world cannot give to us. But we often forget that Jesus doesn’t want us to keep this peace all to ourselves. He wants us to share it with everyone we meet so that it will spread. And we share it, not by by telling everyone how peaceful we feel, but by simply remaining close to Jesus and letting his peace flow out of us.

Your efforts to stay rooted in the peace of Christ are not lost on the people around you. Just think of the effect that someone like Mother Teresa had on those who met her. Or to bring it closer to home, think of someone you know who radiates the presence and the peace of Christ. People notice when someone seems centered and calm in difficult situations. It’s true for you as well. Your peace can flow to the people you encounter in the supermarket, at work, in the parking lot, or in your home. You can make a difference!

So yes, continue to ask Jesus to give you his peace and to make you into a more peaceful person. But remember also to give that peace to people wherever you go.

“Lord, make me a channel of your peace to everyone I will meet today.”

Nehemiah 8:1-12
Psalm 19:8-11
Luke 10:1-12

WORD AMONG US