Readings: Acts 15:1-2.22-29; Responsorial Psalm Ps 67:2-3,5,6 & 8 (R.v.4); Revelations 21:10-14, 22-23; Gospel John 14:23-29.
Theme: Suing for Peace through Conflict-management
Conflict in human society is old as man himself. From the days of Adam and Eve through the early Church to contemporary times, conflicts have reared their ugly heads in both the Church and secular society. Since it is a given that tensions and conflicts are part of human existence, it is necessary for us to learn how to manage conflicts and sue for peace. But first, let us take a look at how the early Christian Community was able to handle complaints, tensions and conflicts.
The first reading (Acts 15:1-2.22-29) recounts the issue of circumcised and uncircumcised Christians. There was an agitation from some people who came from Judea who insisted that circumcision was a prerequisite for salvation. Paul and Barnabas had a fierce debate with those who held this view. Since they refused to listen to the two apostles, the elders appointed Paul and Barnabas to go to Antioch and have the matter sorted out.
How was the matter resolved? The apostles sent a letter containing instructions that concerned abstinence from what is sacrificed to idols, from blood or what is strangled and from unchastity. The conflict was resolved by the First Council of the Church in Jerusalem. What is clear is that the early Church sort four ways of resolving the conflict namely:
a). Listening to the agitators: They listened to the complaints of those who came from Judea;
b). Dialogue with the complainants: Paul and Barnabas tried to persuade the agitators by way of dialogue. In the long run, the matter was settled at the Council of Jerusalem;
c). Sending of Emissaries: Sensing that the matter was about to tear the early Church apart, the elders choose men of repute, Paul, Barnabas/Judas, Silas to Antioich to sue for peace and have the matter settled once and for all.
d). Subtle Persuasion: The apostles used the principle of subtle persuasion to resolve the crisis. They said, “For it has seemed good… to us to lay upon you no further burden than these necessary things…” The apostles did not just relay on their whims and caprices to settle the matter. On the contrary, they found a way of convincing the victims that they did not intend for Church Laws to become a heavy burden on them.
e) Recourse to the Holy Spirit: The early Church had recourse to the Holy Spirit in resolving conflicts. Notice what the elders said: “For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit…”
In the gospel reading (John 14:23-29), Jesus bequeathed peace to his apostles as a parting gift. Peace as we know is God’s gift to humanity. Not the type of peace the world gives but the peace that comes from God himself. The first reading is related to the gospel because if the early Church did not act maturely in handling the issue of circumcision, there would have been conflict and the absence of peace.
Is it not surprising that over thousand years since Christ gave that injunction the world still does not know peace? From the family to the Church and larger society, there are conflicts, tensions and wars. What may be responsible for all this? Well, Jesus left us the greeting of, “Peace be with you.” But apparently, we have left it to the Muslims. Islam which emerged in the 7th century of the Christian era now has the message of Christ as its greeting: “As-salamu alaykum" – Meaning, "Peace be with you.” Whether this greeting has an impact is another thing.
But the point is, peace is very elusive in our society today. Perhaps Christendom should be grateful to the Catholic Church which has retained Jesus’ prayer of peace in her Liturgy of the Mass: “Lord Jesus Christ you said to your apostles, peace I leave you, my peace I give you…” At the end of the prayer the presiding priest invites the faithful in the following words: “Let us offer each other the sign of peace.”
It is important for us to know some types of peace there are:
a). Personal peace: This is an interior disposition to quite-peace. However, many of us lack this kind of disposition. It is not surprising to greet someone on the street and the person responds: Na by force? Such people lack interior peace. Little wonder it is said, “you cannot give what you don’t have.” When you investigate carefully, you will discover that such people are trouble shooters in their families or places of work.
b). Communal peace: This is the peace that flows in the community. Communal peace is a conscious effort at handling tensions or quarrels in a group or society. Because the larger group is more important than the individual, communal peace is the untiring efforts of all members of a group to sue for peace and synergize for the development of the society.
d). Peace of the graveyard: This peace is achieved after death. We often hear “rest in perfect peace” when someone dies – this is the kind of peace that is referred to here. What is essential is that no one wishes for that kind of peace while alive but it is incumbent on us to pray for the faithful departed to enjoy that kind of peace.
e). Peace of the Spirit: This comes from the Holy Spirit. This is the kind of peace the early Church enjoyed. It is the peace that Jesus bequeathed to his apostles. It is different from the peace that the world gives because the world gives temporary peace. What Jesus gives is a permanent peace that is built on prayer and the spirit of accommodating others. It is necessary for every Christian to embrace this kind of peace.
Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” Again, Jesus understands that lack of peace creates tensions and conflicts. We must seek ways of ending family feuds, communal clashes and wars between nations. Sadly, these feuds are often caused by:
a). Personal ego and pride;
b). Selfish or vested interest;
c). Ideological differences and or Colonization and,
d). Unspiritual pursuits.
Our liturgy calls us as a Church and people to critically look at killings in our land purportedly carried out by unknown herdsmen from Jos to Agatu and Enugu in the light of suing for peace. We must like the early Church learn to listen to the agitators, dialogue with complainants, use emissaries, employ subtle persuasion and above all, have recourse to the Holy Spirit. The glory St. John saw in his apocalypse as the second reading (Revelations 21:10-14, 22-23) recounts is meant for peacemakers. Let us end with St. Francis’ prayer for peace: Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.
O, Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love; For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; it is in dying that we are born again to eternal life. Have a blessed new month!
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