Expert: Fr. Michael - 6/8/2011

Question
This question is about the meaning of the word "peace," as used in the verse, "Peace, I leave with you, ..."  Does he mean peace with God (forgiveness of sins) instead of peace with regard to enemies?  The U. S., for example, has the several current wars.

Answer
This is a good example of a common misconception occasioned by reading the Scriptures in translation and attributing false modern "vernacular" meanings to the original words.

It is clear that Christ does not mean "world peace" in John 14:27, as shortly thereafter, in John 18:37, Christ proclaims before Pilate:  "My kingdom is not of this world."  The Scriptures indicate clearly that Christ stayed out of secular politics.  Certainly Rome, Judaea, and other nations of His fought many wars as well.  Christ's concern was the salvation of souls for eternity.

The "peace" of which Christ speaks, the peace that is one of the twelve Gifts of the Holy Ghost is an inner peace that comes from being in a state of Sanctifying Grace, of friendship with God and concord with His Commandments.