I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. (Ephesians 4:1-7 ESV).
New Year’s Eve, 2022… it is the close of one year and the beginning of another. I ran across an old cartoon from several years ago. It seemed as applicable today as it was then. I’ve lived long enough to witness this play itself out in many people’s lives. The 20th century could be described as a desperate search for peace. World War I was called “the war to end all wars,” but soon a second, bigger World War followed. In the 1960s “flower children” stuffed carnations into soldiers’ gun barrels while protesting “peace, peace.” In the 1970s youths gave up their militancy and sought peace in inner feelings. In the 1980s and ’90s the cry was “peace through prosperity.” “Yuppies” chased after peace by accumulating wealth and pursuing upward mobility. But now in the 21st century most people simply do not know where to look to find the peace they crave. They seem to merely remark, “It’s a tough gig.”
Our reading today helps us with that. It is only when the Holy Spirit comes into our lives that we discover true peace. The Biblical term for peace is shalom, a greeting still used in the Middle East today. Shalom refers to a blessing that includes peace with God, personal happiness and flourishing, reconciled relationships, and harmony in society. And Jesus has made all this possible through his life, death, and resurrection for our sake.
The peace of the Spirit also opens our eyes to injustice and urges us to work against the things that attempt to rob people of their joy, hope and peace. Just as fallen humans wage war with all of their ability and tenacity, Christians should wage peace with similar vigor and strategy. When we live in the Spirit, we maintain our unity in Christ through the bond of peace that he bought for us. Make that your commitment for this New Year.