Henri Nouwen Society - Daily Meditation
Friday May 30, 2014

Jesus Is a Peacemaker

Jesus, the Blessed Child of the Father, is a peacemaker.  His peace doesn't mean only absence of war.  It is not simply harmony or equilibrium.  His peace is the fullness of well-being, gratuitously given by God.  Jesus says, "Peace I leave to you, my own peace I give you, a peace which the world cannot give, this is my gift to you" (John 14:27).

Peace is Shalom --- well-being of mind, heart, and body, individually and communally.  It can exist in the midst of a war-torn world, even in the midst of unresolved problems and increasing human conflicts.  Jesus made that peace by giving his life for his brothers and sisters.  This is no easy peace, but it is everlasting and it comes from God.   Are we willing to give our lives in the service of peace?

- Henri J. M. Nouwen  
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Text excerpts taken from Bread for the Journey, by Henri J.M. Nouwen, �1997 HarperSanFrancisco. All Scripture from The Jerusalem Bible �1966, 1967, and 1968 Darton, Longman & Todd and Doubleday & Co. Inc. Photo by V. Dobson.