Skip to main content

Peace be with You

Growing up in the Roman Catholic church we had a time during the service or mass for passing of the peace. It was essentially the greeting time of the service.  The people would turn to the folks seated around them and say, "Peace" or "Peace be with you".  If someone said the latter you would say, "and also with you." For the most part it was tradition. I don't recall ever feeling like I was wishing for peace for someone when I said "Peace be with you." Not that I wished ill on them, I just never considered the meaning of those words. I simply said it because it was the thing to say at that part of the mass.  

While reading the other day, I read Paul's introduction to his letter to the church in Galatia. It is like many of the introductions to the letters he wrote. "Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen" (Galatians 1:3‭-‬5 NIV). Of course, it is what got me thinking about the time of peace in my Roman Catholic upbringing.

I can recall dreading the time of peace in the Roman Catholic service. I was quite a shy boy and the anxiety I felt was very real. I didn't want to shake the hand of a stranger and tell them "Peace be with you." It was uncomfortable.  I was so wrapped up in my own head, I couldn't fathom actually hoping for peace for someone else. 

Yet now I read Paul's words and I am moved by the beauty of them.  The anxiety I felt should have been washed over by the grace and peace of our savior.  He rescued us from that which was not peaceful through his sacrificial offering of himself. Indeed, because of Jesus, we can experience true grace and peace. As lovers of His people, shouldn't we wish for all to experience peace and grace?

The next time a storm hits or brews inside of you, dwell in peace and grace. It is finished. The price is paid. Because of Jesus, there is nothing of this world that can take away the peace and grace he freely gives.  

I pray for the peace and grace of Jesus Christ to wash over each of you.

Peace and grace,

Matt Ennis


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Anchor House Week 31 - NAMMA

The first week of August, I had the chance to attend the North American Maritime Ministry Association (NAMMA) Conference. NAMMA is an ecumenical, Christian association of individuals and affiliated organizations involved in maritime ministry throughout North America, including the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. I had the privilege of attending the conference with our summer intern, Gabe. For both of us it was the first time we had the chance to be a part of the conference. I enjoyed getting to meet so many individuals who serve the Lord across the globe. Each of us serves at different ports and in unique ways. The exchange of ideas was both enjoyable and informative, especially for me as the new guy. Each of the people I met had a heart for the seafarer and the challenges they face. Their hearts poured out to show the love of Jesus to the men and women aboard the vessels that visit their respective ports.   One of the highlights of the trip was meeting one
Post a Comment
Read more

Anchor House Week12: Constant

I've gotten almost a week behind on my reflections from Anchor House. It seems there just isn't enough time in the day.  The way these blogs come together is different from week to week.  Some weeks God puts a message clearly on my heart. Others it feels like a struggle to put "pen to paper".   This week was one of those that I knew exactly what I'd write about. However, each day passed and I missed the opportunity. You see, I write best in the mornings. Not sure if it's the limited distractions, a product of my habit of practicing my spiritual disciplines in the morning, or something else entirely. Most of my afternoon writing is intelligible and requires numerous edits.  In the AM, however, they seem to make more sense.   What's funny is that as I am writing, I am feeling God moving.  He's moving from what I thought I was to write about to what He wants me to share. These shifts and changes are a part of the shipping industry.  Things hap
Post a Comment
Read more

King of the Jews

Then Pilate took Jesus and had Him flogged. The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on His head. They clothed Him in a purple robe and went up to Him again and again, saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!” And they slapped Him in the face. Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews gathered there, “Look, I am bringing Him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against Him.” When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!” As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw Him, they shouted, “Crucify! Crucify!” But Pilate answered, “You take Him and crucify Him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against Him.” The Jewish leaders insisted, “We have a law, and according to that law He must die, because He claimed to be the Son of God.” When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid, and he went back inside the palace. “Where do you come from?” he asked Jesus, but Jesus g
Post a Comment
Read more