Pass the Peace

starving for that which we already have

Peace. A promised possession that so often eludes me. It occupies so much of my mind, not the peace unfortunately, but more often, the eluding. Where is it? Is it here? Am I just not seeing it or attuned to it? Having written a whole book on it one would think I have it nailed down. Yet, I imagine like many of you, I yearn for peace all the time.

If Jesus gives me peace, and I believe He does, than where is mine? Scripture has not been my friend the last year or so. I have found myself stuck in one Psalm for the entirety of a year. I have read for Seminary, and I have read to prep messages, but for myself, I have found little solace in my favorite book. Until a few weeks ago when the verse I know so well, John 14:26-27 came to me.

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. John 14: 26-27a

As I sat with the words a picture came to me…Jesus depositing a tiny speck of peace, no bigger than a mustard seed into my palm.

Maybe that’s it. Similar to faith, the size of it doesn’t really matter. We walk around with these little specks of peace, not because Jesus is stingy, but because a speck is actually enough. Could it be that the speck can carry me through?

I started picturing a mustard seed of peace in my hand and it really did feel like enough. That’s not to say that I didn’t want more, but I could feel in my bones that I wasn’t lacking-and that was huge.

Albany Rural Cemetery James M. Hart (1828–1901) 1849 Oil on canvas, Albany Institute of History & Art

I grew up Catholic adjacent and have become a person who loves and yearns for liturgy as my faith has matured. Despite this, my church experience rarely reflects the liturgical beauty one can find not just within a Catholic Mass but within many denominational church services. Every since I was a little girl, when it came to the time to offer a sign of peace, my soul sang.¹ This is shocking as someone who really does not like interacting with strangers, or even too many people at once that I actually know. Nevertheless, when it was time to pass the peace, I was (am) all in.

I found myself in a Mass recently for a family event and when it came time to pass peace around, I was in awe. As everyone began to shake hands and offer, “peace” I returned to the image of the speck in my hand. And then could imagine specks in all the hands within the church. As we greeted each other and passed the peace I could almost see the specks growing.

Palms touched, peace grew. It felt like we were at a proverbial table and everyone was passing around their favorite dish, ensuring everyone had a taste. And as often happens at the table when Jesus is there, we never never ran out. Loaves and fishes and peace.

You know, the amazing thing about the loaves and fishes isn’t the provision. Its the abundance. It’s the seven baskets leftover. A speck, passed around the room, is not just enough, its more than enough. It grows.

I am nothing if not a Bible teacher so allow me to return once again to those two verses in Matthew. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. John 14: 26-27a

I can get very wrapped up in the lessons of the text, the message of Christ, the work of a Disciple. I can drown in the translations and the cultural context. But here, Jesus says, let the Holy Spirit do the heavy lifting. Trust the Spirit within you to bring to mind that which you need to recall. In the meantime, here is a speck of peace-that’s my gift to you.

Peace is what Jesus leaves us. And if that’s all that he leaves us with, it’s more than enough. More than enough for me with enough leftover to share with you.

As lent approaches I have decided to once again make the Lent companion to Peace in the Dark available. There is no cost for the guide although you do need the book to go along with it. Additionally I am re-opening the private substack that walks through the book and guide with additional reflections, questions, etc. I know I am continually returning to the book for application within my own life and would love the chance to interact with more of you as you do the same. Click on the button below for signup and additional details.

Peace in the Dark is available wherever books are sold. Might I suggest supporting an independent bookstore such as nooks or order from my publisher and keep the small pubs in business Leafwood online store (currently 25% off)

And of course at Amazon (reviews welcome!)

You can pickup my other books Life Surrendered or Break Bread Together:

Available wherever books are sold: Amazon | Leafwood

1. I would remiss if I didn’t mention that apparently this is not a universal response to the sign of peace. I was bent over laughing in my car this week when I was listening to That’s The Spirit while

Sara Billups

and

Morgan Page

were describing in hilarious detail their responses to this particular part of the liturgy-its a must listen!