Apostolic Goals V ~ Peace: 1 Thessalonians 5:9-13, 24-28, especially vs. 13: "Be at peace among yourselves." Consider the scope of the mission which faced the Lord's Apostles as they set out to disciple the nations of the world. They were appealing to the world's peoples who were already absorbed in their own pursuits. They had to gain a hearing for the Gospel. Then they had to help any converts to abandon their former, pagan errors, false customs, antagonism and immorality, unite themselves to Christ in Baptism, learn to hear and obey the Holy Spirit, and walk in a purity and sobriety worthy of their true God and Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
The mission was daunting at least, yet, because they labored in the power of the Spirit of God, the Lord achieved remarkable success through them. They actually enabled people to be at peace with God, their fellow men, and within themselves. Today, let us realize that the Lord has passed on this mission to us. Yes, bringing peace on earth to men is difficult, akin to what the motto of the State of Kansas states: "To the stars through bitter struggle," or "Ad astra per aspera." However, the Apostles have shown us that the mission is possible. In today's reading, St. Paul reveals the reason for bringing God's peace to the world and shows us how to achieve it.
The reason to work for peace among ourselves and with others, is most profound: "For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ" (vs. 9). Given our appointment to obtain salvation, it is clear that we do not now possess salvation but only have the opportunity to acquire salvation. An appointment to a military academy holds out only the prospect of winning a commission as an officer, and this through four years of bitter struggle and discipline. The honor and the distinction of being an officer is very great, but one must be prepared for a regimen of study and training, and not all cadets will complete the course.
What bearing does our "appointment to salvation" have on being at peace with our brethren in the Faith? "If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God Whom he hath not seen?" (1 Jn. 4:20). We are appointed for peace, to make peace. It is unthinkable to be in conflict with a fellow Christian or other people, as unthinkable as it is to join oneself to a prostitute (1 Cor. 6:16). The Lord calls us to humble ourselves, to love one another, and to forgive as we are forgiven. Quarreling, fighting, and discord are contrary to our commitment to Christ.
However, it is God Who has made this difficult mission of completing the course in salvation possible, for our Lord Jesus Christ "...died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him" (vs. 10). The Lord Himself is the help we require to finish the course in salvation. He is available to help day and night, even when we confront antagonism and hostility from others. Recall that He promises us difficulty as well as salvation, but we must persevere in the bitter struggle to bring peace when others do not wish to be at peace.
How then can we achieve peace? The Apostle gives us these guidelines (vss. 11,12):
"...comfort each other." Behind much of the anger in this world is a great deal of fear and pain. Rather than fight, let us assuage the fear by bringing comfort to others.
"...edify one another." Think first of building others up and not of self-defense.
"...recognize those who...are over you in the Lord and admonish you." God has appointed Shepherds over us to keep us as a flock. Their place among us is essential in the struggle to achieve peace among ourselves. They are trained to proclaim God's peace. They bring us the Mystery of reconciliation. Let us turn to them for guidance and God's help.
"O Lord, give strength unto Thy people; and bless us with peace." (Ps. 28:11 LXX)