Second Sunday in Advent 2024 - Peace
I’m telling you these things while I’m still living with you. The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you. I’m leaving you well and whole. That’s my parting gift to you. Peace. (John 14:27)
This week I got into a few discussions where words are used in ways that are a derivative of the person, defined or manipulated by the person using the word, and not from the definition of the word itself. In the process of an exchange, I realized that if we all have different meanings to words, then when we use them, the intended communication has a very great likelihood of going off the rails. What he was trying to tell me was not getting through; and vice versa. This week, the meaning of words has become very crucial to imparting one thought to another. Truly, without a common definition or understanding of the meaning of the word, there simply can be no communication. This tendency, which seems to be becoming more and more frequent is driving me nuts. No wonder there are so many problems in communication and understanding and cooperation! No one can understand each other anymore!
The word that crossed my 'desk' this week was the word 'church'. In an exchange with a person, it wasn't long before I realized that there was a good chance that this person was using the word in a way that was not in line with my understanding of the word. At one point, I said to him - "That's not the meaning of 'church'" ... to which he responded, "That's my meaning." And, based on his definition, he had some very negative and disparaging things to say about church. I get the frustration with a, b, and c ... but how does one blame a, b, and c on something that is being wrongly defined and understood? That's like blaming your fish for chewing your slippers because you call your dog a fish - "My fish chewed up my slipper." ... but that's not a fish. "Yes, it is - that's what I call a fish." So, you try to tell everyone, "My fish ate my slipper!" and confusion ensues. Where is the breakdown in communication? in the sender or the receiver? So, who needs to correct their communication practices? And who concedes that they are wrong?
What became a bit of a head-scratcher was this person seemed to be very limited in the understanding of and the nuances in the word. Any attempt on my part to nudge the boundaries of the word led to brick walls (and dismissive statements). I've had similar experiences with the word 'truth'. To be honest, both these words require their own blog inquiries, but today - with you who read this - I would like to unpack the word peace: what is commonly meant, what God might intend for this word to mean, and how it could fit into this Advent season. Keep this in mind as I embark on my attempt to unpack this word, including both its denotative and connotative meanings.
So, I like to start with a dictionary definition. The denotative meanings - from a dictionary, without emotion or bias. This is a definition that has stood the test of time. Merriam-Webster says, as a noun, peace is (1) a state of tranquility such as (a) a freedom from civil disturbance; or (b) a state of security or order within a community provided for by law or custom; it is (2) freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions; it is (3) a state or pact between governments where (a) mutual concord is established between governments, or (b) a pact or agreement to end hostilities between those who have been at war or in a state of enmity; and it is (4) harmony in personal relations. There are other uses, such as an intransitive verb or as part of an expression (a teacher shouting, "PEACE already!" which is probably more the verb, come to think of it). In our world today, there is little peace as per the above definitions - the word of the year, according to MW again - is polarization. A word that has become part of our daily experience. And this word is the exact opposite of peace. We long for it but have no part in establishing it. We have grown more and more away from our fellow man over the last year - it doesn't matter who one points the finger at, everyone has contributed to the problem; point one finger and you have three pointing back at you. But we don't look in the mirror, we just point the finger and blame this person or that person ... and peace becomes a word that no longer lives in our world. At least, according to MW's denotative definitions. There is no tranquility, there is much civil disturbance and the threat of civil disturbance (in words and in some places, action, too), there are so many oppressive or anguished thoughts and emotions, no pacts to cease hostilities (so they rage throughout the globe with the threat of WW3 either on the horizon or already in our homes), and "harmony" is only with those in your echo chamber.
I'd like to suggest that when the New Testament uses the Greek word eirene, which is commonly translated into 'peace', they might not be meaning the exact same thing as good ol' MW above, though there might be connections. There might be another layer or a bit of understanding than we commonly think when we define that word. So, according to Strong's Lexicon (which I know is not the best reference tool for language and Biblical exegetic analysis), it says this: this word describes the state of being at peace or living in harmony (much like MW). AND (here's a shift), it also implies an active maintenance of peace, whether within oneself, among individuals, or within a community. The term suggests not only the absence of conflict but also the presence of positive, harmonious relationships. There is also an inclusion of "completeness" in the meaning, which MW definitely does not have. Notice - MW's definitions are often around the absence of something; while the Lexicon is around the presence of something ... and that presence comes from active engagement on the part of us. and then I found this ... not the Greek word, but the Hebrew word ... "The Hebrew word we translate as peace is “shalom.” The way “shalom” is used does not mean to feel calm nor the absence of conflict. Instead shalom, peace, is the result of right relationships with God, one another, and with creation. The concept of peace is wholeness in all of life."
May I suggest - much like with the word Hope from last week, so, too, does the word Peace become something "bigger" and both more transcendent as well as personal when it is understood and lived out from a Christian perspective. For the world, hope is about the future and about establishing a path to that future; but for the Christian, Hope is embedded within the promises of God, that His word is true and what he assures us, we (if we claim and believe) will come to pass. That's not a get-into-heaven-free-card (more on that in another entry), but it is saying "I know how this story will end, and therefore, I give my life to His purpose.
BUT the story doesn't stop there! And that's the message of this week comes into play ...
Quiz time: In the bible, 337 passages talk about peace. Which book mentions peace the most? Take a guess ... is it in the New Testament? Or maybe Psalms?? The answer: Leviticus. (shock!!) 31 times!!
(From the message today at Village Green) Here’s why: within Leviticus, the Jewish people are instructed on offerings and sacrifices for their people. (Remember, this is Old Testament, not New Testament; so the message is not for you and me, but for God's chosen.) Leviticus is given for the different offerings and sacrifices for the Jewish people. One of the main offerings these people gave was the Peace Offering. This one wasn't about going to the temple to sacrifice and have the priest do it and we go home and all’s ok. Most of the others were, but this Peace Offering was not like that at all. This offering was given at a dinner party, the priest came as part of the party, and others came, too - the purpose was to celebrate what God was doing in your life. Here's what this offering did - it was to recognize and celebrate the pieces of your life that were brought together so that you would be whole again. These pieces required an offering for reorientation because life can be hard. Life can throw things at you that blindside you, cripple you, anger you … and this is an opportunity to come to God and recognize Him, and celebrate the good things He has done with these broken pieces ... and because He is there, amid the offering, in the midst of the community, we can have peace (wholeness) in the middle of the chaos and everything else being experienced. Almost, in a way, like an illustration of communion? (Which wasn't until the NT) To make this personal, we come in, to the gathering for the Peace Offering (or communion) overwhelmed with life, in pieces … we come disoriented and lost and angry and confused and the gathering, the communion, orients you back to wholeness.
Jesus' life was full of peace - it began with the angels announcing to the shepherds, "Glory to God in the highest, and peace to all on earth" (Luke 2:14) to so many passages throughout his life and messages to his disciples, he says, " I'm telling you these things while I’m still living with you. The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you. I’m leaving you well and whole. That’s my parting gift to you. Peace." (John 14: 27) and, at the end, when he resurrected from the dead, he appeared among his followers, even though the doors were locked up tight (it was not safe on the streets), and what does he say? "Peace be with you.” (John 20:26) You are whole. You have hope (the promises are true), and you have peace (you have wholeness within you, as a person and as the gathering ... his Church). This Peace and this Hope were enough that a fire was lit in each of those disciples and what they gave their lives to, how they sought to bring this message to all of God's people, and so many died a horrific death, but where they put their faith and the promises that were given to them - they believed. I aspire to embrace a conviction like that.
To think that the only definition of hope is the same as wish, or to think that the only definition of peace is the absence of conflict ... really misses a lot of depth and sustenance of teaching for those ears that will listen and learn. Each is free to choose as they wish, but these are the reasons why Advent is so nourishing to those that believe. These are what these words mean to those who believe. Yes - we know that man defines the words one way; but we also know that God defines them another. With more. And with promise.
Be reminded: Jesus offers true Hope and brings inner Peace, through his teachings of love, compassion, forgiveness, harmony, and understanding. He inspires people to see peace inside and in this wholeness can be part of Peace outside. This is not just about what we have inside; this is about what we have inside that is then turned outside to others - to share, to live, to bring together in harmony and wholeness. For ALL the people. Sadly, most of the trouble and problems that are in our world today, the animosity and hatred and greed and targeting and forcing authority over others happen because people have no peace inside themselves. Without that peace and the tangible hope inside that comes from the assurance and promise from God, humanity is in deep trouble.
In the chaos and polarization of the world today, I do not fear. I am concerned but I do not fear. Instead, every day I rise and remind myself that I put my trust in the Hope and Peace that He offers.
Hope that is realized becomes Peace that is internalized. And then I have the strength to live in witness to all with the promises that are given for all. Regardless of what is to come. Fear of man and peace from God cannot occupy the same space.
Shalom.
Comments