Peace I leave with you;
[JOHN 14:27]
my peace I give to you.
I do not give to you as the world gives.
Do not let your hearts be troubled,
and do not let them be afraid.
| DAILY OFFICE LECTIONARY – JANUARY 21, 2026 |
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| AM Psalm 38; PM Psalm 119:25-48 Gen. 9:18-29; Heb. 6:1-12; John 3:22-36 |
I was out of town over the weekend so I’m posting a day later than usual.
You’ll also notice that my focus verse is not from any of the daily lectionary readings assigned for today.
But I couldn’t resist this verse and, yes, I’ve twisted Jesus’ words to fit the title and the purpose of my post.
By now many of us are aware of the United States President’s obsession with the Nobel Peace Prize and how it may play into a possible destabilizing of the world order.
He felt snubbed when he didn’t receive the honor from the Norwegian Nobel Committee. (It would have been a travesty had it been.)
It was awarded, instead, to Maria Corina Machado, the leader of the democracy movement in Venezuela.
The press release announcing the award states that Machado received the prize:
for her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy.
In the past year, Ms. Machado has been forced to live in hiding. Despite serious threats against her life she has remained in the country, a choice that has inspired millions of people. She has brought her country’s opposition together. She has never wavered in resisting the militarization of Venezuelan society. She has been steadfast in her support for a peaceful transition to democracy.
The list of nominees, which will not be disclosed for fifty years, included 338 individuals and organizations. With that many names, it would have to be assumed that the President of the United States had to have been one of the nominees. He has been very public about his desire to be recognized, giving himself unsubstantiated credit for ending eight wars.
The nagging question it begs is, what fuels his fascination with this distinction?
That brings me to our scripture verse and Jesus’ definition of peace.
In this verse, Jesus makes it very clear that his peace is not the peace that “the world gives.”
Peace, in his view, is not just the absence of conflict, but a feeling of wholeness.
There are two ways to interpret the term peace; from the individual sense of inner tranquility; but more importantly, from a communal aspect – the way people get along with one another.
And we must readily admit that this communal peace is absent from far too many of us.
Shalom is the Hebrew word for peace.
Shalom brings with it the understanding that peace and wholeness is not something which just anyone can give, not even a distinguished body such as the Nobel Peace Prize Committee
Shalom for Christians comes from a relationship with Jesus, the one who has given us acceptance and forgiveness in God’s eyes.
From this perspective we are whole, complete, accepted, forever.
When we say “Shalom” to one another, when we use this gift, we are reminded who we are – God’s people forever.
This is what Jesus when he said, “My ‘Shalom‘ is different.”
The words of Jesus, spoken in this context, are meant to be comforting, supportive, affirming.
We spend far too much time worrying about ourselves and the material things in life and very little time worrying about others.
As Christians we are called to pass on Jesus’ compassionate concern for those with doubts, questions, and fears. We are called to care for the poor, the hungry, and those otherwise vulnerable.
In the face of the chaos, and the rejection of God in the world, we are called to be people who serve as dwelling places for God – a God who comes to dwell with us, who encourages us to come out of ourselves and join in the adventure of creation and challenges of healing, justice, and liberation in the world.
Imperfect as we are, the Shalom that Jesus gives enables us carry out his mission in the world and remind each other who we are and whose we are.
Needless to say – but we’ll say it anyway – the President’s concept of peace does not even come close to what Jesus defines as peace.
Ms. Machado received the prize and has now forwarded it to this President, in spite of the Peace Prize Institute’s statement that the prize cannot be “revoked, shared, or transferred to others” once it has been awarded.
Her hope, she has stated, is that the exchange will allow her the opportunity to lead her people from dictatorship toward democracy, and that the President will support that effort.
It remains to be seen whether he will comply. Experience has shown that she may be disappointed.
His attention has already shifted from Venezuela to Greenland.
He still harbors what he perceives as a public rejection by the country that denied him the honor.
In retaliation, he is threatening to take Greenland by force, if necessary, even though Greenland is a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, not Norway.
What he has failed to realize is that, when all said and done, it is simply a medal, along with some prize money. It is meaningless in the grand scheme of things.
The words of Jesus stand in stark contrast:
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
I do not give to you as the world gives.”
And for that we say, “Thanks be to God!”
Let us pray:
Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace, as children of one Father; to whom be dominion and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
(Book of Common Prayer, p. 815)
Walking Together in Faith 