Published in the bulletin of Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Knoxville, TN, on the Baptism of the Lord.
My dear Parishioners,
Peace! There are thirteen (13) “In Brief” articles in the Catechism of the Catholic Church addressing the Fifth Commandment of the Decalogue, ‘You shall not kill.’ The following is a reflection on CCC 2330.
The Fifth Commandment ‘You shall not kill’ enjoins on believers in Jesus Christ to also be blessed peacemakers as evidence of divine adoption: “Blessed are the peacemakers, they shall be called sons of God” (Saint Matthew 5:9). The Hebrew word shalom and the Greek word eirene are translated, respectively as “peace.” Peace is a condition of tranquillity, freedom from disturbance, from war or enemies externally and inwardly within the soul. Health, soundness, prosperity and well-being in general are further connotations of shalom, peace.
Of course, Jesus Christ is the prince of peace (cf. Isaiah 9:6) who has made peace between Heaven and Earth, between us and God by His sacrificial death and resurrection which are made present continuously throughout the ages in the mystery of the Mass. Saint Paul even goes so far as to say that not only has Jesus Christ made peace for us, but that He is our peace (ipse est enim pax nostra) who calls us to be blessed peace makers (cf. Ephesians 2:14).
The promise of peace is a constant in the Old Testament, fulfilled perfectly in Jesus Christ (cf. Isaiah 9:5; 26:3, 12; 32:17; 52:7; 54:10; 57:19; 60:17; 66:12; Micah 5:1–4; Job 25:2; Psalm 29:11; 37:11; 72:3,7; 85:9,11; 119:165; 125:5; 128:6; 147:14; Song of Songs 8:10). Repeatedly, in the New Testament we hear the invocation of peace; on the lips of Jesus and in the writings of Saint Paul and Saint John (cf. John 14:27; 20:26; Romans 12:18; 15:33; 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:11; Philippians 4:9; 2 Thessalonians 3:16; 1 John 1:3). The peace which the Lord Jesus gives is not a peace of this world, but a peace which keeps our hearts from trouble and fear. When the Apostles were locked in the upper room after the resurrection filled with fear the Lord Jesus assuaged their fears with His greeting of peace. When we are free from sin and the grasp of Satan then there is peace in our hearts and the God of peace is with us.
To be a peacemaker is not the same thing as being a “pacifist.” The Fifth Commandment and the Beatitudes do not negate our right to legitimate self-defense or by extension national defense when peace fails. In this fallen world, sadly, not everyone is moved by calls for justice and reason and military or police force is thereby necessitated. When the Lord Jesus freely laid down His life for us on the Cross, putting Himself in harm’s way He knew that His sacrifice was for our good, our redemption. Soldiers who find themselves in harm’s way, like Sergeant York (1887–1964) did near Chatel Chehery, France, or the 411 emergency workers in New York who died on September 11, 2001, were blessed peace makers.
God bless you!
Father John Arthur Orr