Week 2 of Advent is underway. Traditionally, this week carries a theme of peace. It is a time to reflect on the peace that Christ promises at his coming. That is also our theme for our reading of Luke Chapter 10.
Peace in Luke Chapter 10
Peace in Mission
“And he said to them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few… go your way; behold I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and salute no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’And if a son of peace is there, your peace shall rest upon him; but if not, it shall return to you.”
Luke 10:2-6
A plentiful harvest is hopeful as long as we can find the laborers. However, being a lamb in the midst of wolves does not sound very promising. Especially with the repeated charge to bring nothing with you. So you want us to head into a fight empty handed? Well, no. We enter the fight with Christ, offering peace.
“Peace be with you” sounds odd to me outside of a mass context, but I think it would be neat if we brought back this greeting. It shows that we come to the home or friendship offering God’s peace. If they receive it, it rests upon them, otherwise it returns.
There is a peace of mind here that as long as we are sincere in our attempt to share Christ’s peace, we will have peace. It is either received and shared or declined and returned to us. There is a trust that we will be taken care of either way. We don’t have to worry about being judged by those who are against us, because the issue is with them.
Receiving Peace
Similarly, when people come to us peacefully, do we receive them? Do we offer them cold water because they are a disciple (Mt 10:42)? Or do we let our own concerns take priority?
When the seventy return, they are joyful because of a successful mission where they saw fruit. Jesus warns them against pride saying “Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:10-20).
It is tempting when we feel that things are going really well to think it has something to do with ourselves. We get prideful. Jesus makes it clear that this peace in the good times is coming from his authority, and if we stay with him, “nothing shall hurt you”.
Service of the Good Samaritan
The next we are taught that to inherit eternal life we must love God and love our neighbor. When asked “Who is my neighbor?” We hear the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:29-37).
Many of us know this story so I won’t copy the whole thing in here. It is a great reminder though that our compassion is not limited to any one group. We can share peace in all places and to all people, the way Jesus sent out the seventy to do. Then, we have peace in Christ, not judging others, being thankful for what we have come to understand, and in being a Good Samaritan when we can.
Martha and Mary
Lastly, we end on another famous story, Jesus visits Martha and Mary (Luke 10:38-42).
Martha wants to host and make things perfect for her guest, but Mary wants to sit in Jesus’ presence and listen to understand.
Learning what we have from Luke 10, we can strive to have peace like Mary while in Christ’s presence. Though we are in a time of preparation, we need not be “anxious or troubled.”
Peace be with you.
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