The losers concede too much in order to survive, but the bitterness remains to erupt another day. The Romans are the winners and the territories have to make the best of it. Rome invaded territories and ruled them through the use of force and fear. The Pax Romana or Roman peace is one example of political peace established by force and violence. They reply with I would like: Peace and Tranquillity, Inner Peace, World Peace, just a bit of Peace and Quiet. When you ask a lot of people what they would hope for, they want more than absence of conflict or inner strife. Second is the idea of peace in my personal relationships with family and friends. First there is the idea of political or national peace. If we think first about the peace that the world offers, I would consider this peace on a number of different levels. Is there a difference between ‘peace’ and ‘my peace’? Is Jesus making a distinction between how the world gives and how he gives? Or, is he making the distinction between the peace that the world gives and the peace that he gives? If the ‘peace’ that the world gives is the ‘peace through victory through violence’ that the Pax Romana offered, the question might be whether the peace that Jesus gives looks any different or is accomplished differently. I do not give to you as the world gives”. A couple of days later I was offered an experimental drug which reduced my symptoms substantially.Ī few questions arise in my mind when I hear Jesus say: “Peace I leave with you my peace I give to you. Then I experienced a tremendous peace which flooded my entire body. I surrendered completely and handed myself over totally. And I prayed leaving it totally in God’s hands without any expectation of relief. I knew I had reached the end of my resources. Eventually I got to a place where I had to hand it over to Jesus. I tried alternative medicines and I prayed. My pain levels kept increasing from months to months and medical science could offer no solution. From time to time the medication that slows the progress of the disease fails entirely. I have struggled with rheumatoid arthritis for many years. I wonder why? What kind of peace is Jesus giving? I go to a memory where I have felt Jesus’ peace in a very strong, embodied way. I can feel my body sigh with relief, and it is as if a weight has been lifted off me. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid”Īnd I notice my own reaction to the word peace. Jesus comforts the disciples who must go on living without him: “Peace I leave with you my peace I give to you. Jesus knew his death was near and his disciples have stopped denying it. This is where our Gospel reading takes place. Jesus found himself in the same situation at the Last Supper. It happens quite often, that dying people who have found peace, comfort those gathered around them and help them deal with their anxiety and grief. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid Peace I leave with you my peace I give to you.

Peace i leave with you