When I was growing up, I had an aunt who was a Religious Sister in the Congregation of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Mother of Christ. At the main entrance door of our family house, she hung a holy placard with the inscription: “PEACE UNTO THIS HOUSE.” I remember reading it aloud often, as a child, whenever I passed the door to enter our house. I believe that some visitors to our house, just like me, would also read out the words, maybe in the silence of their hearts. The placard is still hung on the door till this day. Simple as it may appear, it had and still has a big significance. A reminder and a call to give peace.
Pax et Bonum
The Franciscans have a common greeting, Pax et Bonum, following the example of St. Francis. On this, Paula Gamble-Grant wrote: “It was the habit of St. Francis to greet everyone with peace, and if you take a trip to Assisi, you’ll find both the Latin Pax et Bonum (peace and good) and the Italian Pace e Bene everywhere: It is a gentle reminder that in the midst of a world full of factions and unrest, God’s peace and good was – and is – fully present in all of creation”. I minister for some Secular Franciscans (Ordo Franciscanus Saecularis) in Italy, and I have imbibed their mode of greeting “Pace e bene.” I find myself using it frequently for every other person, even if they are not Franciscans. It is a wish for peace and goodness. A great gift!
Blessing of Peace
In the Gospel of today, Jesus instructs his disciples: “Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this household.’” On the lips of the disciples is to be, not great speeches, but a very “small” blessing: “Peace unto this house!.” We could really, every time we leave the house, take this simple blessing with us in our mind and then pronounce it, even if only in the secret of our heart, every time we appear on the threshold of the other person in front of us. Think of someone who might need your gift of peace. Is there anybody you are not on talking terms with? Is there anybody you still find difficult to forgive or to reconcile with? Have the holy courage today to pronounce this blessing of peace in your heart for the person, and then leave the rest to God to perfect it.
And when peace is rejected? Don’t worry – Jesus seems to say – peace will return to those who gave it, just like a letter whose recipient has not been found. How many times, in the most difficult moments, did we seem to have lost peace? It will be enough for us to return to the Gospel, to feel all its inner strength again. We hear stories of wars, violence, conflicts in different parts of the world today, and even in the Holy Land. What a critical time for all of us to raise our voices in prayer and proclaim peace and goodness unto this common home that is our world! Peace unto this house!
St. Luke the Evangelist, pray for the nations in conflict! Amen.
Pace e bene a tutti!
