Most people greet each other with a "Hi, how are you?"

or a "How ya' doing?" Sometimes it is even expressed with enthusiasm or kindness. Jesus, on the other hand, greeted his friends differently: "Peace be with you" (Luke 24:36; John 14:27; 20:19,21,26).

The early believers continued this practice. Paul, in his New Testament letters, regularly sent blessings of grace and peace from God and the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 1:3; 2 Corinthians 13:11; Philippians 4:9; 2 Thessalonians 3:16). Society has made various expressions of peace trendy. "Peace, brother" was often said in the cultural revolution of the sixties/seventies. "Peace out!" has been heard more these days.

Perhaps some people say it with meaning and sincerity, but my suspicion is it's more often just a catch phrase. The peace Jesus gives is not the same as ours. In fact, he tells us in so many words. Read John 14:27 — " 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."

There is something significant here Christ is giving us His peace and this peace is not given to us the way the world gives it. It is the "peace that passes all understanding" (Philippians 4:7). These thoughts are present with me of late. The drums of war are beating loudly in the United States and Great Britain. There is a great deal of evidence and justification being presented for military action against Iraq and the removal of Saddam Hussein.

Granted, the world is in a precarious situation if evil men with weapons of mass destruction are allowed to use them. However, as a Christian it is not so easy to jump on the bandwagon.

Struggling over the concept of war is something we all should do. Everyone recognizes that the death and suffering caused by war is atrocious. Still, wars happen. And, unfortunately, there will be more war. The reasons behind them will sometimes sound justified and other times absurd.A Better Way? I was reading about St. Francis of Assisi recently. His feast day is October 4th. You probably know that this once medieval playboy rejected a life of wealth and egotism and took to heart the Gospel message to deny his self and follow Christ. He was very humble and lived a simple life.

He loved and respected all of God's creatures. He's even considered the patron of animals. I discovered something I never knew about him. Francis lived during the time of the Crusades. Christian European armies were warring with the Muslim forces in the Middle East. Francis' response was to go on a peace-seeking mission.

In 1219 he traveled to Damietta, Egypt, near the mouth of the Nile, and met with the Sultan of Egypt, Malek-el-Kamel. He delivered a sincere and earnest message of the Gospel Good News and the love of Jesus. The Sultan was impressed with the courage and faith of this messenger and listened with courtesy and admiration. It didn't result in conversion, but at least it was heard out. The ruler was impressed enough to guarantee Francis safe passage home.


A Prayer for Peace A good daily reminder of what we are called to do as a follower of Jesus is aptly summed up in St. Francis' Prayer of Peace.

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy 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.

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 to eternal life.


Does this prayer accurately reflect my attitude? I have a long way to go. However, the truth of those words cannot be denied. We are told in the Bible that the Holy Spirit will teach us and remind us of all truth. Like the Sultan of Egypt in 1219, at the very least I can hear these words with courtesy and admiration. Perhaps they will even enter my heart and help change me.

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