‘Peace I leave you’

“The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for those who cultivate peace,” writes James. But our world lacks peace, evidenced by wars and conflicts among ourselves. How can we restore peace?

When things go wrong

While James encourages the Christian to seek peace, he also indicates how peace can be lost: “Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every foul practice.” This ambition also plagued the disciples as they argued among themselves who was the greatest (Cf. Mk 9:33). In the gospel of Matthew, it was James and John who initiated the ambitious request to sit next to Jesus in his kingdom and consequently, “when the ten heard this, they became indignant at the two brothers” (Mt 20:24).

Lack of discretion on the part of the disciples was the direct consequence of not understanding Jesus’ prediction of his impending death. Venerable Bede believed that the cause of the disciples’ ignorance of the cross came from their love for Jesus, for they could not fathom his death and presumed that he was speaking figuratively. Despite the possible benevolent reason for their ignorance, the lack of comprehension of the scope of Jesus’ life led them astray. Concerning discretion, John Cassian stated that without this virtue, the person “is sure to go wrong, as if in the darkness of night and dense blackness, and not merely to fall down dangerous pits and precipices, but also to make frequent mistakes in matters that are plain and straightforward” (John Cassian, Conferences 2, Chapter 1). If there is no scope or destination, then it matters little which direction one takes. Thus, lacking the comprehension of Jesus’ revelation of the scope of his life, the disciples took a wrong turn into selfish ambition and petty quarrel without realizing it. Our Lord, in his kindness, drew them back to himself through his teaching and example.

Service as remedy

The greatest obstacle to the Father is self-will, says Benedict (Cf. RB Prol. 3, RB 7:31, Jn 6:38). The way to combat this selfishness is through humble service: “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all” (Mk 9:35). In order to truly serve the other, one must get rid of the greatest obstacle, the tendency to focus on self. Care for the self is the default when discretion and reflection are lacking.

Formation of affection and
the practical return to the Father

In addition to his teaching, Jesus gives the disciples a way to form their affection that leads to service and authentic love, “taking a child, he placed it in their midst, and putting his arms around it” (Mk 9:36). Jesus identifies himself as a child with all the natural characteristics: no ambition, innocent, simple, desires affection, little, possesses nothing, and can only receive. Holiness is not about adding superficial honors and accomplishments, even laudable ones, but a return to what was lost: the love of the father and the gift of innocence. For the first, we have the invitation of Jesus that each time we receive the little ones, we receive Him; and when we receive Him, we receive the Father. As for the second, the central work of faith is simplification: shed what is superfluous. What remains, we will discover, we always had. This work is not difficult because we all were once a child and if we live in God’s presence, we always will be.

*   Abbot of St. Martin Abbey
Lacey, Washington

By Fr Marion Nguyen, osb *