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If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him.” Rather surprisingly, Jesus gives his disciples a specific greeting for their missionary journeys. As they enter a household they are to say, “Peace to this household.” For the Jewish people peace — shalom — is the greatest blessing God can bestow. Shalom is simply the well being experienced when hearts are aligned with God’s presence and consequently ordered to loving all creation and people in God. Jesus himself uses the greeting in nearly every post-Resurrection appearance. When hearts are transformed by shalom, they resonate with the Good News and welcome its bearers. When hearts are not transformed, they reject the Good News and its bearers. So Jesus advises disciples not to waste their time. Jesus advice has implication for our societal interactions today, especially as we who are in the United States approach electing our nation’s political leaders. True communication and understanding on opposing points of view can occur only when we dialogue with respect and harmony with one another — and shalom is present. True communication cannot occur when dialogue is marked by lack of respect and fractious discord -- and shalom is absent. May all our dialogues concerning the common good of our national community be marked by shalom and deserve Jesus’ commendation: “The Kingdom of God is at hand for you.” |