Peace: Not the One We Expected, Infinitely Better
My Dear People,
The news had spread: Jesus is in town. The crowds gathered outside the
house, while Jesus took a few minutes to relax inside, with Peter,
James, and John. They could hear the din growing. Finally, one of the
disciples comes in and says, "Jesus, we've got a real problem." "What
is it?," Jesus asks. "We're running out of parking. We've got maybe ten
spaces left, and cars are backed up for blocks. People are honking.
It's getting rough."
Without saying a word, Jesus rises and goes outside.
Not quite sure what to think, Peter, James, and John wait right where they are. Then they hear a sudden hush come over the vast crowd.
A moment later Jesus walks back in. And, taking his seat, he says, "The parking shouldn't be a problem now."
The disciples exchange glances. Then Peter says, "Lord, what happened?... What did you do?"
"Oh," Jesus responded, looking up, "I said, ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.'"
(Read: Miraculously, there were soon plenty of free parking spaces, as many in the crowd decided that, after all, Jesus' way was.... uh, not a good fit for them.)
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William Alexander Percy was a cousin and surrogate father to the famed writer Walker Percy. In addition to being a decorated combat veteran of World War I (and a Sewanee alumnus!), the elder Percy was a writer of great eloquence and elegance himself. He was also devout in his Christian faith.
Having been intrigued by his story from the time I first learned of him, I was pleased to discover, some years ago, that one of Will Percy's poems ended up in our Hymnal 1982. When, while in seminary, studying under Ray Glover (formerly of St. Paul's!), each seminarian had to do a short teaching on any hymn in the hymnal, it was Hymn 661 that I chose. The text is an only slightly altered version of Percy's slightly longer poem:
such happy, simple fisher folk, before the Lord came down.
Contented, peaceful fishermen, before they ever knew
the peace of God that filled their hearts brimful, and broke them too.
Young John who trimmed the flapping sail, homeless, in Patmos died.
Peter, who hauled the teeming net, head-down was crucified.
The peace of God, it is no peace, but strife closed in the sod.
Yet let us pray for but one thing - the marvelous peace of God.
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Every time we walk into our church, emblazoned overhead are the words, "PEACE I LEAVE WITH YOU. MY PEACE I GIVE UNTO YOU."
Likely we don't look up and see them every time we come to church. That being said, every time we come to church we are indeed looking for peace. I know I am.
I also know - we also know - that the one who left us that peace,
the Prince of Peace, is the one who first offered his life in love for
others. And he invites us to do the same; to follow him. The peace he
offers isn't the one we came looking for. It's infinitely better. It is
the peace which passes all understanding. Thanks be to God.
Your brother in Christ,
Wallace+
