Rector's Thoughts

I’m not sure who came up with the idea that peace in Christianity is more than “the absence of conflict.” But this is so evidently true in our world today. The concept often translated as “peace” in the Bible carries a sense of wholeness, reconciliation, and right relationship—with God, with other people, and within oneself. As Christians we cannot simply shut ourselves off from the world. Jesus calls us to do the opposite. That’s hard because the biggest battle for a Christian is the lack of peace we feel within ourselves. That’s why a central theme of Christian teaching is that peace originates in God. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ tells his followers, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.” This peace is presented not as something dependent on circumstances, but as an inner confidence rooted in faith and trust.

Christianity also connects peace with forgiveness. The teachings of Christ encourage believers to forgive others, love their enemies, and seek reconciliation rather than revenge. These principles challenge people to respond to hostility with compassion and understanding, aiming to break cycles of resentment and violence. Some people think this is a ‘soft’ option but please look at the movies (a true story which was toned down because it was so unbelievable). Working for peace is always very costly.

I know I’m repeating myself but Peace has both personal and social dimensions. Personally, it involves spiritual peace—a sense of being reconciled with God and living according to one’s conscience. Socially, it calls Christians to be “peacemakers,” working for justice, mercy, and the well-being of others. Peace is not viewed as passive acceptance of wrongdoing; rather, it often involves actively working against injustice while maintaining respect for all human dignity.

Throughout history, we have people who can inspire us by their lives and teachings promoting non-violence and reconciliation. Figures such as Francis of Assisi, Desmond Tutu, and Martin Luther King Jr. emphasized peace rooted in love, forgiveness, and justice. The following thought sums it up well.

“Ultimately, Christianity presents peace as both a gift and a responsibility: a gift received through faith and a responsibility expressed through acts of kindness, reconciliation, and service. In this view, peace grows when individuals seek to reflect God’s love in their relationships and communities, contributing to a more compassionate and harmonious world.”

With my love and my prayers for you and your family. Revd. Stephen Monk