Peace, from Mother Theresa

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

Our home is filled with love and joy. But peace? Not so much. With three chidren, all who have different interests and unique personalities, our house is definitely not peaceful - at least, until they're all in bed.

Perhaps your home is filled with noise, "passionate discussions," chaos and craziness like ours. Or maybe your family is in chaos because you're going through a divorce. Or because you've just received a devastating medical diagnosis. Or simply because the people you work with seem to enjoy stirring up trouble. In these economic times, the stress can run high.

Yet, Jesus said, "my peace I give you." What is this peace? How can I have it? Really, when the kids fight, when the checkbook won't balance, when my coworkers drive me crazy - how can I have this kind of peace?

Mother Theresa, at the 1994 National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C. shared, "He came not to give the peace of the world which is only that we don't bother each other. He came to give the peace of heart which comes from loving - from doing good to others.

"And God loved the world so much that He gave His son - it was a giving... Jesus also died on the Cross to show that greater love. He died for you and for me, and for the leper and for that man dying of hunger and that naked person lying in the street, no only of Calcutta, but of Africa, and everywhere ... and He tells us that we also have to give whatever it takes to do good to one another. And in the Gospel Jesus says very clearly: 'Love as I have loved you.'


"It is not enough for us to say: "I love God," but I also have to love my neighbor. St. John says that you are a liar if you say you love God and you don't love your neighbor. How can you love God whom you do not see, if you do not love your neighbor whom you see, whom you touch, with whom you live? And so it is very important for us to realize that love, to be true, has to hurt. I must be willing to give whatever it takes not to harm other people and, in fact, to do good to them. This requires that I be willing to give until it hurts. Otherwise, there is not true love in me and I bring injustice, not peace, to those around me." (emphasis mine)


Of course, Mother Theresa spoke of the orphans and unborn, to whom she had dedicated her entire life. But, her words apply equally to us all. When we love others as Jesus loves us, then His Peace, His Godly peace, dwells in us.


When the kids tear up each other and the house, do we respond in love? Or do we scream, responding in anger that they behave this way? Do we allow the interruption in our own lives, teaching them the right way to handle disputes or just pretend the noise isn't there?


Faced with a heartbreaking divorce or a devastating health report, what do we choose? To love anyway, in spite of horrible circumstances? To love others, in spite of ourselves. Or do we crawl under a rock and suffer. The first happens in God's strength and leads to peace, supernatural peace. Withdrawing from the world, not so much.


What about those obnoxious co-workers? Do we give in to the gossip? the game-playing? the ego? Or, do we live differently? We can guard our tongue, speaking only in honor and respect, never gossiping. We can apologize when we mess up and forgive quickly when others make mistakes.


Dear God, I crave your peace. Let my life be an extension of your love. Forgive me when I stumble. Help me get back up and live with love for you and this world you gave us. Amen.