PEACE AND MESSIAH
Understanding Christ’s Mission
The concept of peace is central to the Christian faith, yet it can be misunderstood when viewed solely through a worldly lens. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus makes a striking statement that challenges our conventional understanding of peace: “Do not think that I have come to bring peace upon the earth. I have not come to bring peace but the sword” (Mt 10:34). This declaration seems to contradict the popular expectation of the Messiah’s role as a bringer of peace.
Indeed, the prophets of the Old Testament had foretold a peaceful and joyous world under the Messiah’s leadership. The prophet Isaiah proclaimed, “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. His dominion is vast and forever peaceful” (Isa 9:5-6). This prophecy painted a picture of a Messiah who would usher in an era of unparalleled peace and prosperity.
The angelic announcement at Jesus’ birth seemed to confirm this expectation. As recounted in the Gospel of Luke, “And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: ‘Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests'” (Lk 2:13-14). This heavenly proclamation appeared to herald the arrival of the long-awaited peace.
However, Jesus’ mission and the peace He brought were fundamentally different from worldly expectations. At the Last Supper, Jesus clarified the nature of His peace: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you” (Jn 14:27). This distinction is crucial for understanding the true nature of Christ’s peace.
The peace that Jesus offers is not merely the absence of conflict or war, but a profound reconciliation between humanity and God. As St. Paul explains in his letter to the Romans, “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom 5:1). This peace is a result of Christ’s sacrificial death and resurrection, which bridges the gap between sinful humanity and a holy God.
The Catholic Church teaches that this peace of Christ is a gift that transforms our relationship with God and with one another. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, “The dignity of the human person is rooted in his creation in the image and likeness of God; it is fulfilled in his vocation to divine beatitude… By the grace of Christ, man participates in the divine life” (CCC 1700). This participation in divine life is the ultimate source of true peace.
It’s important to note that the everlasting peace prophesied by Isaiah and others will be fully realized only at Christ’s second coming. The current age, as Jesus warned, would be marked by division and conflict, even among families, as people choose to follow Him or reject Him.
REFLECTION
As Christians, we are called to be bearers of Christ’s peace in a world often marked by conflict and division. Pope Francis reminds us, “Peace is not merely the absence of war… Peace in society cannot be understood as pacification or the mere absence of violence resulting from the domination of one part of society over others. Nor does true peace act as a pretext for justifying a social structure which silences or appeases the poor, so that the more affluent can placidly support their lifestyle while others have to make do as they can” (Evangelii Gaudium, 218-219).
As followers of Christ, we are called to embrace and share the true peace that comes from reconciliation with God. This peace transcends worldly understanding and empowers us to be agents of reconciliation and justice in our communities. Let us strive to embody this peace in our daily lives, even amidst challenges and conflicts, knowing that we participate in Christ’s mission of bringing God’s kingdom to earth. By living out this divine peace, we become witnesses to the transformative power of Christ’s love, offering hope and healing in a world yearning for true peace.