There is such a thing as a good death, a death that, however sad, leaves behind a sense of peace. I have witnessed many of these types of deaths and I have seen many that are not at all peaceful. I think we would enjoy the former over the latter.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus gives a long farewell speech at the Last Supper. Those around him are understandably shaken, afraid, and not prepared to accept the reality of his impending death. He tries to calm them and give them something to cling to with these words: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you” John 14:27.
Most of us have experienced the loss and grieved a loved one's death. Both of my parents were gone by the time I was 33, and I was not prepared for either, but sad as those farewells were, every memory now evokes warmth. Their farewell gift to me now is one of peace.
The challenge for all of us who are still living, is the challenge to live in such a way that peace will be our final farewell gift to our families, our loved ones, our faith community, and our world. How do we do that? How do
we leave the gift of peace even in our relationships and
world now?
Peace is a whole lot more than the absence of war and strife. Peace is harmony and completeness coming together. To be at peace something has to be made in a way that all of its movements are in harmony with each other, and it must also have a completeness so that it is not still aching for something it is missing. Peace is the opposite of internal discord or of longing for something that is lacking. When we are not at peace it is because we are experiencing chaos or sensing unfinished business inside.
When Jesus promises peace as His farewell gift, he identifies it with the Holy Spirit; and, as we know, that's the spirit of joy, peace, charity, goodness, patience, longsuffering, fidelity, mildness and chastity.
So when we leave anything; a parish, a job, a marriage, a family, or a community, they either leave behind chaos or peace. Some leave behind disharmony, unfinished business, anger, bitterness, jealousy and division, while others leave behind a legacy of harmony and completeness, a spirit of understanding, compassion, growth and unity. Both are missed, but one with a much more nurturing happy memory than the other.
As I leave Prince of Peace, I hope that there are not too many who feel disharmony or a lack of unity for anything that I have done. I do apologize if I have hurt anyone whether it was intentionally or unintentionally. I can be quite passionate about many things when it comes to our Catholic faith and those I love. I love Prince of Peace, and will miss our community. If you are ever in Lawrence or passing by, come and visit me at Corpus Christi.
Peace is what I leave with you, a peace that any of us can only find by receiving the gift of it from the Prince of Peace.
God bless,
Fr. Jerry