Divine Peace that
Surpasses Understanding
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." These profound words from our Lord in the Upper Room reveal the extraordinary nature of Jesus Christ's parting gift. The peace Jesus offers is not merely the absence of conflict or a temporary tranquility, but rather a participation in the divine life itself - a sharing in the perfect communion of love between Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This peace transcends our human understanding, precisely because it emanates from the heart of the Trinity, where perfect unity and harmony reign eternally.
When Jesus assures us, "I do not give as the world gives," He distinguishes His peace from worldly contentment, which depends on favorable circumstances. The peace of Christ remains steadfast through suffering and trial, for it is anchored in the immutable reality of God's sovereignty and love. This sacred peace was purchased at the immense price of Jesus' Passion - the reconciliation between heaven and earth accomplished through His sacrifice on the Cross. In the sacred silence of the Tabernacle, this same peace awaits us, offered anew in each celebration of the Holy Eucharist, where we commune with the Prince of Peace Himself in His Presence.
"You heard me say to you, 'I am going away, and I will come to you.' If you loved me, you would have rejoiced." In these words, our Lord calls us to trust that His departure - His Ascension to the Father - is for our benefit. This seeming paradox reveals a profound truth: Jesus Christ's physical absence makes possible His sacramental presence throughout the world and throughout time. Through the ministrations of His Church, the peace of Christ continues to be communicated to every generation. When we surrender our troubled hearts to Divine Providence, we make space for this supernatural peace to take root and flourish within us.
"I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me, but I do as the Father has commanded me." Here, our Lord acknowledges the reality of spiritual warfare while simultaneously assuring us of His ultimate victory. The prince of darkness holds no power over the Light of the World. Jesus Christ's perfect obedience to the Father's will - even unto death - stands as our model of discipleship. When we align our will with God's Will, we participate in Jesus Christ's triumph over the evil one. The peace Christ gives is thus both gift and mission: received in contemplative prayer and transmitted through charitable action. In a fractured world that desperately seeks peace through political solutions and material comforts, we are called to be living witnesses to the supernatural peace that flows only from communion with the Triune God.
©2025 James Dacey Jr.
