Some things we do in the seminary might seem rather rudimentary, but they can have surprising consequences. A few years back I was studying in Thornwood, NY and I had to pick up a fellow Legionary at JFK airport. Unfortunately, his flight was delayed.
As I sat and waited, one group of people stood out from the masses: all the women whore monochrome full-sleeve blouses with black ankle-length skirts, all the men wore suits and hats, the girls all wore plaid jumpers, and each boy had the same blue pants and shirt. The men talked in one group, the woman talked in another while keeping their eyes on the children chasing each other around the pillars. Nobody could mistake them for anything but Orthodox Jews.
As the regular modern folk passed with their tasteless or designer clothing, each so different and yet each the same, this group of Jews remained and seemed all the more unique by the contrast. As you looked into their eyes, you could sense a deep peace; while looking into the eyes of the passing multitude, the same stone-blank look passed a thousand times.
When we hear “peace,” we immediately think of an absence of conflict, but real peace is an abiding presence. An absence of conflict is a perquisite but not all, a garbage dump usually lacks conflict but also lacks peace. In the Hebrew world shalom (peace) meant a combination of all good things so that when Christ says, “Peace be with you,” (John 20:19,21) he does not just intend for us to be without conflict but to have him, beyond all other good things, in us.
It was obvious that these Jews had received some abiding from God, but we, as Catholics can receive his full and substantial presence in the Eucharist, and can remove our internal conflicts via Confession. The sacraments are the true source of peace.
I also see the peace in all my brothers here in the Center for Higher Studies, which includes more than 10 percent of all legionaries in the world. Of course a few brothers are worried here and there, but mainly over little things such as doing well on an exam. Despite all we have gone through, so many brothers clearly emanate that true peace that only Christ can give.
The solution to world peace is found in the peace of each man’s heart. The disciples were filled with joy seeing the risen Lord and receiving his peace, but he responded by sending them into the world. Let us bring his peace to this troubled world.
Dear Brother Matthew,
Thank you for this posting and excellent reminder of peace. We miss you here in Dayton. Alexis wants to know if you have found a good joke book to keep you amused! God Bless!
Thanks Mrs Whelan, you can tell Alexis I still have my huge list on computer. I am learning some new ones in Spanish and Italian but they don’t translate well. For instance, what is something and nada at the same time? A fish because in Spanish “nada” means both “nothing” and “swims.”