Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you..."
- alisonwale
- May 27
- 5 min read
On 6th Sunday of Easter, 25th May, Lee Williams gave this homily.
Chapters 14 through 17 of the Gospel of John document Jesus' teachings to His disciples following the Last Supper, on the eve of His crucifixion. These chapters are collectively known as the Farewell Discourse. Over the past three weeks of the Easter season, we have reflected on the guidance Jesus imparted to His disciples—and to us—as His earthly ministry drew to a close.
It is not difficult to imagine the disciples' reluctance to accept Jesus' words. They did not want Him to leave them, just as none of us wish to part with those we love. Consequently, the disciples were filled with fear, confusion, and anxiety about the uncertain future that lay ahead—emotions with which we can all identify.
The world experienced profound disruption when the COVID-19 pandemic brought everything to a standstill. In the early days, with no treatments, vaccines, or boosters available, fear and anxiety were widespread. These reactions were natural responses to a serious and unfamiliar situation, compounded by a lack of knowledge and certainty.
In 2025, we are navigating another significant transition as our interconnected world adapts to a sudden surge in nationalism and protectionism. Our systems of international cooperation, work, trade, social protection, and justice are in flux. We are confronting the same uncertainty that Jesus' disciples faced as He prepared to leave them. In this context, Jesus offers a profound gift: Peace. He repeats the word "peace" in the Gospel reading:
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you..."
This gift is invaluable, especially as Jesus tells His friends of His impending departure. He reminds them that the gifts from God are pure and untainted, stating:
"I do not give to you as the world gives."
So, what is this 'peace' that Jesus offers His disciples and us? It is certainly not the 'peace' the world offers, which is often no peace at all. That worldly peace can be:
Based on denial, ignoring injustice and inequality.
Achieved through inaction and silence in the face of evil.
Lacking a shared sense of purpose, shifting burdens onto others.
No, the peace Jesus speaks of is encapsulated in the Hebrew word "shalom."
Shalom is a remarkable word, rich with meaning that transcends simple translation. While often rendered as "peace," shalom encompasses much more. The Hebrew prophets envisioned shalom as the harmonious integration of God, humans, and all creation in justice, fulfillment, and delight. It signifies:
· Health
· Wholeness
· Completeness
· Welfare
· Safety
· Tranquility
· Perfectness
· Harmony
· Rest
A state of shalom is a state without fear, akin to this vision we heard in the Book of Revelation:
"And in the spirit, he carried me away to a great, high mountain and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God. I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God is its light, and its lamp is the Lamb. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. Its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there. People will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations."
This state of shalom—real peace and contentment even amid setbacks—is embodied in the phrase we pray in the Lord’s Prayer: "Thy kingdom come; thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven." In praying this, we seek the strength, wisdom, and love to align our will with God’s will of peace, plenty, and security. We pray not for personal peace but for transformed hearts and minds to embody Christ’s peace on Earth—the peace God wills for all, whether friend or stranger. Shalom is the essence of a resurrection-shaped life.
Yet, the cry for "Peace!" can be misused in our worldly society: to silence dissent, to urge acceptance of injustice in the name of order, or to tolerate wrongdoing.
Most of you are too young to recall the music of Arlo Guthrie or his father, Woody Guthrie, American protest folk singers whose work focused on counter-culture social themes, Woody in the 1940s and1950s, and Arlo in the 60s, and 70s. Arlo put to music a song written by his father called "My Peace." Its words are simple yet profound. Lets’ listen, and we can sing it at the close of the service.
My peace, my peace is all I’ve got that I can give to you My peace is all I ever had it’s all I ever knew I give my peace to green and black and red and white and blue My peace my peace is all I’ve got that I can give to you.My peace, my peace is all I’ve got and all I've ever known My peace is worth a thousand times more than anything I own I pass my peace around and about ‘cross hands of every hue;My peace my peace is all I’ve got that I can give to you.
As followers of Jesus, we extend the peace we have received from Him to the world, echoing the sentiments of the song. God calls us to practice genuine peace, allowing our actions and lives to serve as a testament to His love for us, reflecting that love back into the world.
Justice, compassion, and love for all are the cornerstones of lasting peace. The society God envisions for us has been clearly described:
We are to care for the widow and the orphan without distinction.
We are called to feel the wounds of the world as Jesus did—to see them and work to heal them.
We are to feed the hungry, even if our resources seem limited.
We must avoid self-righteousness in the face of poverty, lest we reveal the poverty of our own spirits.
We are called to action, not passivity, if we truly want to practice who we claim to be.
We are to take the long view as Christians, seeing the image of God in every person.
We are called to serve our neighbors and love our enemies.
The work of shalom, justice, and mercy is holy, and it benefits us all. Jesus said:
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid."
Just as Jesus gave the apostles the gift of shalom, He gives it to us, so that, with the help of the Holy Spirit, we can share that gift—and we all benefit. Let us give of ourselves—not as the world gives, but as Christ gives to us.
Amen.
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