In the 1980s, a magazine ran a curious story. A man returned to his car, which was parked outside a large shopping mall. Resting on the front seat was a note. It read, “Dear Sir or Madam, I fully intended to steal your car, until I saw your ‘Peace be with you’ bumper sticker.
“It made me pause and reflect. I reasoned that if I did steal your car, you certainly would not be at peace. I felt I would not be at peace, either. So, peace be to you, and me. Drive carefully, and next time, lock your car.” The note was signed, “A would-be car thief.”
As strange as it may seem, this story captures the rather unorthodox instruction Jesus gives to His disciples in today’s Gospel: “Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this household.’ If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on them. But if not, it will return to you.”
The “Peace be with you” bumper sticker extended the peace of Christ to the would-be thief. And that peace found a home in him – because at his core, he was a peaceful person. It changed the course of his actions. The peace that was offered was received, and both walked away unchanged in possessions, but changed in spirit.
When the Bible mentions the word “peace,” it speaks of peace in four unique ways: Peace among nations, peace within ourselves, peace with God, and ultimately, the peace of Christ.
This final kind, the peace of Christ, is the realization of God’s Kingdom on earth. It is the peace Jesus brought into the world by becoming one of us. It’s the peace He entrusted to His disciples, and the peace He entrusts to us, here and now.
This peace is not simply the absence of conflict. It is the fullness of God’s presence – where love, justice and mercy reign. It is the very Kingdom we pray for when we say, “Thy Kingdom come, on earth as it is in Heaven.”
Extending this peace is not easy. The world can often feel like a hurricane: chaotic, loud and violent. People shout and steal. Nations wage war against one another. But in every storm, there is an eye – the calm at the center where the clouds part, the sun breaks through and the sky turns blue.
The eye is where the peace of Christ lives.
But Jesus never meant for us to stay there. He sends us out into the storm, not to avoid the chaos, but to become that calm center for others. To be bearers of His peace. To be His presence in the world.
This call echoes the spirit of the 2025 Jubilee Year, themed “Pilgrims of Hope.” As pilgrims, we’re not meant to remain in comfort – we are sent into the world to carry hope where it’s needed most. To be a pilgrim of hope is to bring Christ’s peace into the storm; to be His steady, loving presence amid life’s chaos.
So, when we receive the Eucharist and exchange the sign of peace, we’re not simply offering polite words. We are taking up a mission, to be Christ’s peace in a world that desperately needs it.
May we always remember: the peace we receive is the peace we are called to give.
JMJ+ Excellent homily, Fr. Bob. It got me to thinking about the fact that it’s okay if I haven’t totally let go of some shame or guilt, long after being Absolved of my sin. I know that JESUS was right in reminding us that we can do nothing without Him. I’ve been without a parish for several years now, but am trying to move to State where I can truly practice my Roman Catholic Faith. Being without the Sacraments hasn’t caused me to lose my Faith or Trust in JESUS CHRIST, but it has caused me to try to do things on my own and I can fail wonderfully well. I live with HIM firmly in my heart and know that eventually, things will be as they should. Therein lies my Peace from CHRIST and my soul does not get restless. Thank you, both.
Dear Father Bob,
Your Homilies are always so beautiful and loving. I enjoy them so much. They bring me peace. Thank you for them. God Bless you.