Chaplain's Chat

Things have been a bit surreal in our world lately. On strange days like these it is good to remember that the early Christians under the Roman Empire often lived with similar feelings of uncertainty and anxiety from the threat of persecution. The Apostle Paul, who had founded many of their churches, wasn’t always with them in person, and so wrote encouraging letters to them (most of which we have in the New Testament). He would greet them at the outset of his letters with the phrase: "Grace and Peace to you from God!"

Grace is the idea of kindness, patience, and forgiveness. The Greek word it comes from, “charis,” has the sense of a “gift” or something “freely given.” This is one of the primary qualities of God – in the Bible we frequently read about God’s readiness to forgive us, and ways in which God is abundantly kind, generous, and patient with us. These might be things we often feel we don’t deserve, such as getting second chances, or they might be experiences of wonder and joy in nature, for example. But in terms of our relationships with others, how freely do we show these qualities those around us? Grace is something we might need to give generously to those around us once we have been stuck with them in the house after a few weeks! You might like to think of ways you can be kind, generous, patient, and giving to others at this time!

Peace is the idea of being at equilibrium. The Hebrew word it comes from, “shalom,” carries a very holistic and dynamic meaning, giving the idea of peace not just as an inner sense of calm within me, but as an expression of the relationship I have with those around me, with God, and with this world. At a time like this, we can feel very anxious, but we don’t have to stay in that state of mind; we can do things to help both ourselves and others find peace. You might like to journal as a way of getting those worries out onto paper, or to talk to others about how you feel, and allow them to express their feelings too; you might like to actively care for those around you – looking outward to their well-being will help your own sense of well-being; you might like to pray to God, expressing your worries and fears, as well as asking for peace (and health!) for yourself and your loved ones; and you might like to get out into nature, and care for this planet in your own backyard, and appreciate what wonders are in it. All these things help cultivate peace.

In one of the letters Paul wrote to a group of Christians who were struggling with external pressures in the form of persecution, he said these words:“The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4: 6 -7). These are good words of advice for us, even 2000 years later, as we too face an external threat.