Rarely does a person manage to find peace, but above all, it is difficult for them even to aspire to it sincerely, because it is easy to misunderstand its meaning. It is therefore useful to ask the following question: what is peace?

I put the question to a group of Christians gathered to share the Word and pray. For some, peace is ‘the tranquillity of the heart that dwells within me’; for others, ‘the absence of problems’; still others define it as “inner silence, both in the heart and in the mind”. Others identify it with “the absence of turbulent emotions” or “the absence of sadness”, whilst for some it is simply “having a clear conscience”. So for them, peace depends on the presence or absence of problems, emotional or mental turmoil, burdens to bear or sins to face.

Even dictionaries, which are not written solely for Christians, state that the word “peace” is a synonym for the absence of conflict or turmoil. Thus, for example, if Russia and Ukraine, or Israel and the Palestinians, were to cease hostilities, there would be peace. Just as in turbulent marital relationships, peace would be achieved when there were no conflicts, divisions or quarrels between the spouses.

The point is that Jesus, who during the Last Supper said to his disciples: “I give you my peace! (John 14:27)”, before the supper was over he also added: “In the world you will have tribulation” (John 16:33)”, and before that very supper he had warned the apostles thus: “Many of you will be put to death, and you will be hated by all because of my name” (Luke 21:16–17).

If, therefore, we reason on the basis of what is generally understood by peace, even in Christian circles, Jesus’ words seem to be in open contradiction with one another. For he says he gives his peace to his disciples, yet promises them that they will certainly not have it. And if, as we have seen before, we think of peace as synonymous with tranquillity and the absence of problems, wars and conflicts, nothing adds up.

There must be something we are missing. On the evening he was arrested, whilst still at table with his disciples, Jesus said that the Father would send them the Holy Spirit (John 14:26) and added: “I leave you peace; I give you my peace. Not as the world gives it, I give it to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid” (John 14:27). He then went on to say: “I am going away… you will be hated because of me… you will be rejected and killed… you will be scattered… you will leave me alone… have peace in me… in the world you will have tribulation, but take heart, I have overcome the world”.

So, it was to reassure them that they would overcome the terrible moment of his death and the subsequent tribulations they would face that he said: “I give you my peace”, promising that they would receive the Holy Spirit.

Now, what has made me reflect so much is that, on the one hand, he distinguishes “his peace” from that “of the world”; on the other, his peace depends on the coming of the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, if peace were simply the absence of conflict (armed, emotional, mental, etc.), how could we explain what Jesus said: “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword” (Matthew 10:34)?

So, let us take a closer look at what Jesus means by peace. Let us go to the heart of his words so as not to conform to the mindset of the world, not to misunderstand the Lord, and not to harbour false expectations.

What is peace according to the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ?

Jesus gave his peace to his own during the Last Supper and after his resurrection. It is all concentrated at the end of his life and especially after his death, when the fateful “Peace be with you!” began all his addresses to his disciples after his resurrection.

Peace is dependent on and closely linked to the Resurrection and the coming of the Holy Spirit upon Jesus’ disciples.

Peace, first and foremost, is the peace that Jesus gives. It is not something that arises reactively within us as a consequence of external or internal events. As Jesus said: “I leave you peace; I give you my peace. Not as the world gives it, I give it to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid”. That is to say, even though problems may arise, we should not be afraid, for we possess his peace, the peace of the One who, by rising from the dead, has conquered death, which is the gravest of all problems a human being can ever face.

Furthermore, shortly before his arrest, Jesus added: “I have told you these things so that you may have peace in me. In the world you will have tribulation; but take heart, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Therefore, not only is true peace that of Jesus, but we can possess it only in Him! Indeed, He says again: “I have told you these things (all that he said and did during the Last Supper: he washed their feet, he promised the Holy Spirit, he foretold his return to the Father and the sending of the Holy Spirit, he said that he would dwell in them and that they should not quarrel amongst themselves over who was the greatest, Author’s note) so that you may have peace in me” (a word which in Greek means “in me”, or “with me”, or even “because of me”).

He assures us that we will face tribulations in the world, but encourages us to keep our trust in Him, for He has overcome the world, including death, for which there is no human remedy.

Therefore, the peace of Jesus is not the absence of tribulations, but the certainty of victory over every problem, including death.

The resurrection is the proof of victory and the Holy Spirit is our inner witness to it.

I have peace, therefore, when the Word of God makes sense to me; when, as I live my life amidst daily difficulties, I trust in Jesus, rely on His intervention and entrust myself to Him: for God always does everything well and guides my steps. And even if I were to face the most tragic of moments, death, I know that it does not have the final say over me.

Peace is an inner state of serene and trusting surrender to God: Jesus has conquered the world by rising from the dead. He always holds my hand, never leaves me for a moment, and makes me a sign. If I have the peace of Jesus, it is only logical that if I believe in him, even if I die, I shall live.