Grace and Peace

When faced with suffering, grief, and confusion, many of us seek peace in understanding. I know this is true for me. I think that if I can just make sense of something, see the reason for it then I will be able to accept it and have peace. There are several reasons for this belief. In part it is simply a product of my nature, of the way God created me and the particular gifts He gave me. I love truth and am inclined toward the study and pursuit of it. I studied philosophy and theology because I found those subjects deeply engaging; they were fun. Hence the self-appointed title of “geeky Catholic girl.” Another reason for this push for understanding, of making sense of things is pride. I’m a smart girl; I should be able to wrap my mind around this. Or, another manifestation of pride: I’ve been following the Lord for a long time, I should be able to understand what He is doing, His purpose in this particular area of my life that is causing sorrow, confusion, and grief. This should make sense to me!

But the truth is that God’s ways are not our ways. (Isiah 55: 8) Our human intellects, no matter how well formed, can not fully fathom the mind of God. This is good news because the mystery of who God is invites us into ever deepening relationship. Throughout our lives we can continue to learn more about Him, draw closer to Him, we will never tire of getting to know Him better for He will always be greater than we can understand. There is always more for us in the Lord.

Another piece of good news is this, “then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:7) Understanding is not a prerequisite for peace. I do not have to, often cannot, understand fully what God is doing or asking of me in order to say yes, to surrender to His will. I must only trust that He is good and that therefore His will, however mysterious, is good. This peace stands guard over my mind and heart, protecting me from the anxiety and fear that often accompany uncertainty.

Where then does peace come from? How is it achieved in the face of suffering? That is another piece of good news; we do not have to achieve it. We can receive peace. It is a grace. Grace is God’s life operating in our souls and as such it a gift, something freely given. We can, however, dispose ourselves to receiving grace.

The sacraments are channels of grace. In the face of sorrows that threaten to rob us of our peace we can turn to the Sacrament of Reconciliation which, in washing away our sin, removes the impediments to receiving grace. We can nourish ourselves on the Eucharist, uniting ourselves to Christ who is Himself the Prince of Peace. Prayer too is an avenue of grace, placing ourselves in the presence of God and crying out to Him. Even if we don’t feel like we really know how to pray in the midst of the turmoil, if our prayer is simply tears and the heart’s anguished cry of “help me, Lord.” The Lord hears those prayers and He knows, even when we don’t, exactly what we need. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and swift to answer them. The prayers of others also release an outpouring of grace, even when they too are unsure of how best to pray for us, their pleas on our behalf are efficacious. Once again understanding is not required; God knows and lovingly responds.

God’s ways are mysterious and so the operation of grace in our lives is mysterious as well. But God is also faithful and so too is grace. We may not understand how it works. The circumstances disturbing us might remain the same. On the surface nothing has changed; things are not “better” and we still do not understand, but somehow where once there was nothing but hurt, sorrow, and confusion, there is now peace. Peace resulting not from our efforts to control or make sense of things but from surrendering to God and believing in His love. God’s love is a resting place and in it we can always  find our peace.