The Apostle's Fast in the Ancient FaithIsampula

Day 3: Peace - Embracing the Tranquility of the Apostle's Fast

In the stillness of the Apostle's Fast, we are called to seek a peace that is not of this world - a peace that Christ Himself promised to His disciples. "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid" (John 14:27). These words of our Savior resonate with profound significance as we journey through this joyous time of fasting and prayer. In these comforting words, Christ promises us His divine peace, a peace that transcends the turmoil of the world and calms the storms within our hearts. The most violent section of the water during a storm is on the surface but the deeper you descend the calmer, more peaceful and still the water becomes; let us seek this deepness with Christ, let us seek this inner peace that anchors our souls safely in Christ. Today, we explore the profound significance of peace, drawing insights from Scripture, the teachings of the Early Church Fathers, and the exemplary lives of apostolic figures.

The peace that Christ offers is a peace that surpasses all understanding, a peace that guards our hearts and minds in Him (Philippians 4:7). It is a peace that is not contingent on external circumstances but is rooted in the unshakeable Kingdom of God. As we abstain from worldly pleasures and draw nearer to God, we are invited to experience this peace more fully. The Apostle's Fast provides us with a unique opportunity to cultivate inner peace amidst the busyness of life. In the quietude of fasting and prayer, we are invited to turn our gaze inward, seeking reconciliation with God and peace within ourselves. As we continue on this journey of discovering once again who we are in the eyes of God and to Whom we belong to, may we open our hearts to the transformative power of God's peace.

The Early Church Fathers, the pillars of Christian wisdom, often spoke of the inner peace that comes from a life of fasting and asceticism. St. Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, one of the great theologians of the early Church, wrote extensively on the peace of Christ. He understood that true peace is found in the ordering of our desires according to the will of God. "Our hearts are restless until they rest in you," he famously penned in his book titled “Confessions”, recognizing that peace is ultimately found in communion with the Almighty. The Early Church Fathers, such as St. Gregory of Nyssa, further offer profound insights into the nature of peace and its attainment through fasting and asceticism and emphasize the role of fasting in fostering inner peace. Through the discipline of fasting, they teach that we reclaim space for God's peace to dwell within us, transforming our hearts and minds.

The apostolic figures, too, were beacons of peace amidst the storms of persecution and trial. St. Peter, for instance, exhibited a remarkable peaceful demeanor even as he faced imprisonment and martyrdom. His serenity in the face of death was a testament to the peace that Christ had instilled in his heart—a peace that the world could neither give nor take away.

The Coptic Synaxarium recounts the life of St. James the Just, whose peaceful end is a powerful example for us. Known for his righteousness and fervent prayer, St. James faced his martyrdom, with a tranquility that could only come from a deep trust in God's providence and love. St. Peter, despite facing persecution and imprisonment for his faith, remained steadfast and peaceful, trusting in God's providence - he was at peace and deep in sleep during his imprisonment that the angel had to strike him on his side to wake him up! St. Peter's peaceful demeanor amidst persecution serves as a powerful testament to the transformative power of God's peace and his unwavering peace in the face of adversity inspires countless believers to emulate his example and find solace in the abiding presence of Christ. Even in the face of doubt and uncertainty, St. Thomas found peace in encountering the risen Christ, his doubts dispelled by the presence of the Prince of Peace. Should you find yourself doubting, ask Christ to grant you His peace and He will abundantly provide you His peace from His good treasure, His endless storehouse.

As we reflect on these examples and teachings, let us strive to cultivate the peace of Christ in our own lives. In a world often characterized by chaos and conflict, we are called to be peacemakers. Through prayer, fasting, and acts of charity, we become vessels of God's peace, radiating His love and serenity to those around us; we become, as St. Peter in his Epistle says "a royal priesthood…that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9) and our duty as priests is to sow seeds of reconciliation and harmony between humanity and the Divine.

In our pursuit of peace, let us remember that it is not an end in itself but a means to draw closer to God and to reflect His love to the world. May our fasting be a time of peaceful reflection, our prayers a source of serene comfort, and our lives a testament to the peace that Christ offers. Let this peace permeate our beings, so that we may approach each day of this fast with a calm spirit and a hopeful heart, eager to encounter the divine mysteries that await us.

Let us pray:

O Prince of Peace, in the quiet of our hearts, we seek the peace that only You can provide. During this Apostle's Fast, grant us the grace to find tranquility in Your presence. Teach us to trust in Your loving care, to rest in Your promises, and to surrender our anxieties and fears at the foot of Your most Holy Cross, which at the mentioning of It, the demons are burned. May the peace that You bestowed upon Your apostles fill our souls, and may we, in turn, extend that peace to our brothers and sisters and to all nations and peoples. As we follow the examples of St. Peter and St. James, help us to embody Your peace in every word we speak and in every action we take for the glory of Your Holy Name. Amen.