KykNET Lent Guide 2023Sample

Week 2: Peace

Day 1: A Peace, unlike the World, can give

Get out, do it

Close the door, don't slam it

Let me be alone a while

To give my nerves a rest

Whatever you do I love you

No matter what you do I love you

And I want to run out after you

But I don't know what's best

You will take good care of me

I'll be your caretaker

You'll be the maker of the peace

I'll be the peacemaker

You will take good care of me

And I'll be your caretaker

You'll be the maker of the peace

I'll be the peacemaker

Hours later

I hear the key in the front door

We look each other in the eye

A timid, sorry pair

There's a little more conversation

Just little more conversation

A battle's lost, a war is won

I think we've cleared the air

You will take good care of me

I'll be your caretaker

You'll be the maker of the peace

I'll be the peacemaker

You will take good care of me

And I'll be your caretaker

You'll be the maker of the peace

I'll be the peacemaker

Lyrics of Peacemaker by Albert Hammond

“All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. “You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.” Joh 14:25-28 NIV

What is peace? If you Google it, you will find: “Free of disturbance, tranquility.” This means that your outward circumstances are favorable: nothing is disrupting you, nothing is bothering you, nothing is upsetting you. Your world is altogether. It would also suggest the presence of emotions like harmony, calm, and peacefulness.

If this is your definition of peace, then Jesus did not have peace. His outward circumstances and His emotions were often tumultuous.

• Politically: The land is taken over by the Romans. The disciples were expecting Him to get rid of the Romans and restore political peace.
• Economically: He did not have His own home. We read that He often did not have a place to sleep.
• Occupation: The Rabbis of the time rejected Him. In fact, at the end of His life, they had all turned against Him. The Pharisees and Sadducees saw Him as a rebel, someone who did not fit into the system.
• Family: His father passed away when He started with His mission. His brothers do not believe in Him. His mother stood with Him. We read that Jacob and Judas only started believing in Him after His resurrection.
• Friends/ Disciples: It was not always easy-going. There are huge problems with His treasurer, Judas, and he is finally responsible for Jesus’ betrayal. In the end, all of His disciples abandon Him.
• Internally: Jesus is known as the Man of Sorrows. He experienced much pain. At a stage, He becomes angry. He cries. We read that at the end of His life, in the garden of Gethsemane, He is deeply upset and asks His disciples, “Please pray with Me.”

Jesus is clearly referring to a different kind of peace in Scripture. In Luke 12:51 He says that He did not come to bring the peace of this world. Not the kind of peace that we are looking for. Not the kind of peace where there is complete harmony and favorable circumstances.

The peace that Jesus brings is a peace that will reign within you in spite of circumstance and in spite of your emotions:

• “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27 NIV
• “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NIV

You are invited to grow in the beatitude:
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Matt 5:9 NIV

Practice of Faith for the Week:

Read the paper daily/ listen to the news. Ask God how you can join Him in being a peacemaker within our world and circumstances.