St. Mina and St. Abanoub Coptic Orthodox Church

What is this peace of God and why is it connected most often to deter fear? Fear is present in most facets of life. We see homes with electronic alarm systems, learn of children with their family's guns at schools; hear constant talk of the Iraq War, Israeli bombings, and disruption of life in Southern Egypt. People ask, "But should we not be cautious and watchful?" Certainly, but alarm systems do not deter fear. Fear is not cast out by suicide bombings in the Middle East. Rather wars and rumors of war, gives seed to more fear and growing fear becomes the needless cause of tyranny and troubles of the day.

It must be said here, that many Biblical scholars today believe, "But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also," means not to resist violence with further violence escalating the violence. In essence it means that an evil person or one that directs evil to another person can only be overcome by goodness. Why? Because it keeps us as individuals incurring the slap, peaceful helping us to maintain our goodness, and keeping us free from anger and its destructiveness. It teaches us the preference of other fruits of peace such as forbearance being favored over violent acts. The teachings set forth do not contradict the state's need and right to protect its citizens and to punish criminals. Rather, it addresses our actions and responsibilities as individuals.

It reinforces and turns our focus to, "Blessed be the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God" (Matthew 5:9). Peace brings us as Christian individuals into communion with God being called His sons. Peace brings us into harmony with God's created world. Peace is in essence imitating the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore only peacemakers can share in God's peace, share it with others, and participate in the work of God's only begotten Son. His Son and we as peacemakers being His sons become as one with the Lord Jesus Christ.

Only the peace of God keeps fear in check. Only the peace of God assures us all that we are not alone regardless of what is happening in the world, in our communities, and in our work places. Peace gives us the presence of God working in our lives, making us confident that whatever comes our way it can be taken care of.

Tertullian (c. 207) wrote this about peace and the perfect world as the Lord Jesus Christ was the perfect Person of peace, "and they will beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks.' In other words, they will change the dispositions of injurious minds, hostile tongues, blasphemy, and all kinds of evil into pursuits of moderation and peace. 'Nations will not lift up swords against nations.' That is, they will not stir up conflict. 'Neither will they learn war any more' that is, provocation of hostilities. So you should learn from this that Christ was not promised to be powerful in war. Rather, He was promised to pursue peace. Now, you must deny either that these things were foretold (although they are plainly seen) or that they have been fulfilled (although you read of them)."

The pursuit of peace be to all,

Bishop Youssef,
Bishop, Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern US