visiting a lot of houses round London at the moment running a research project..

My imagination?  In dangerous times things could go horribly wrong, but Jesus did not ask the Holy Spirit to do what he could do for himself.  He planned every detail in advance, recruiting “sons of peace” (see other translations) to set up safe houses, and arranging a recognition signal – the non-return of the greeting of “peace” at the door, just as the disciples had practised on their journey.  Positioned in secret overnight in thirty-six different towns, fed and well-slept, and now filled with the Holy Spirit, in the morning Jesus’ lambs would take the wolves totally by surprise.

I have multiple sclerosis which has very much accelerated over the last couple of years.  I am wheelchair bound and slowly losing the use of my hands.  I am terrified along with my husband and my family.  I am so angry with God even though I love him and I know he’s holding me safely in the palm of his hand.  I just cannot find any peace so I have found this passage very difficult.  Looking at the challenge does this mean that I cannot offer peace to any people I may meet today.  I am very confused and very sad.

Henry Nouwen reflection for today Perhaps peace exchange in the everyday ?“Here the word call becomes important. We are not called to save the world, solve all problems, and help all people. But we each have our own unique call, in our families, in our work, in our world. We have to keep asking God to help us see clearly what our call is and to give us the strength to live out that call with trust. Then we will discover that our faithfulness to a small task is the most healing response to the illnesses of our time.

Jesus also said “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword”.  Presumably he was speaking of a different kind of peace.  We must be careful when we speak of peace - do we mean an absence of war, or is “peace” a word with many meanings (like “love”)?

In order to share our peace with others, we must be sure to be at peace within ourselves - fully reconciled with God and with all those who are near to us.

I feel the intent of Jesus’ command was to bring to each house one visits, that inner peace, within oneself, that comes from a true relationship with Him. There is something special about that feeling of being at peace with the world. To bring that to a home (or office or workplace)is a gift truly worthy to be received.

Cultural appropriateness of language is relevant. In other societies to say Peace Be With You is normal and it gets the same reply. Here I feel more folk would get the message if you said God Bless You. We have to meet folk where they are, just as Christ did.

I’m still finding my way into a Christian life and I’m a little surprised that the message isn’t that the first thing we should bring to a house is love: or is it that peace is love?

Very refreshing message this morning. Peace is one of those things money can’t buy and we so desperately need. It’s interesting to note the verse say our peace will rest on the person to whom we have spoken if they share in peace. We cannot give away what we don’t have , so may we all endeavour to enter God’s peace. I will definitely remember this when sharing the peace in church on Sunday.

Perhaps this is one of the great challenges of the Christian life - bringing peace to those who may not want to recived it.  Being a peacemaker means making yourself vulnerable, vulnerable beacuse those with whom we share this peace may not be ready or willing to receive it.  Just as Jesus came to share his peace which ultimately led to him being rejected and His death on the cross, so we may find our offer of peace rejected - with what consequences? All we know for certain is that this is God’s will for us as Kingdom people because we know that the peacemakers are blessed by God.

This was such an inspiring greeting from God this morning.Two of us are sbout to go into a local primary school to share news of a “fresh expression” event called “Love Is…”  for Children and their families on Palm Sunday at their assembly.
We want to convey to the children the “Messy Church ” opportunity of the event and this verse has helped me be really clear about my mind set in entering this school this morning What is the nature of peace in our hearts ? What is the nature of the gift of peace we wish to share ? How do we communicate it ? The peace of the Lord be with you