The Sunday Sermon Archive

Dear Friend,

"Peace on earth to men of good will."

Croesus, one of the richest and most powerful kings of antiquity, once asked a philosopher this question: "Who, do you consider, is the happiest of men?" The king was astonished to hear him say that a poor unknown man is the happiest. The king demanded an explanation and was told: "That poor man is happier on his straw pallet, than thou, O king, on thy bed of down; for the angel of peace, who is far from thy throne, keeps watch at his couch."

This is the peace that all are looking for but few find it. Peace is necessary if we are to enjoy anything at all, either in this life or in eternity. St. Gregory of Nyssa says: "Whatever you may mention among things which are sweet and pleasant in life, peace is always necessary, in order that they may really be pleasant. For though you may have everything that is esteemed and valued in life, such as riches, health, joys, amusements and pleasures, what do all these things profit, when peace is wanting?"

If there were no peace in Heaven it would cease to be Heaven; and if peace could enter into Hell, it would cease to be Hell.

Peace left this world and mankind with the sin of Adam (Original Sin). All those who are in sin (Original or Actual), are at odds with God and therefore peace is far from them. In the book of Job we read: "Who hath resisted Him (God) and hath had peace?" And who is without sin? St. John says: "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." So mankind has been reduced to a most pitiful un-peaceful state.

But, we were not abandoned. God has had mercy upon us and sent His only begotten Son to redeem us. No mere human could pay the price of redemption because the infinite goodness of God has been offended. The Psalmist says "No brother can redeem, nor shall man redeem: he shall not give to God his ransom. Nor the price of the redemption of his soul" So God Himself came to pay the price of our redemption. But, at the same time it is necessary that man make the payment, so God has become Man. Thus as both God and Man, Jesus Christ has through His sacrifice paid the price of our redemption. He has purchased for us peace once again. And for all those who are of good will they are able to receive this peace hence we have the words of the Angels: "Peace on earth to men of good will."

The little child that we contemplate today lying in a manger in Bethlehem is the one and only source of peace for all of us. This is the day that all the children of Adam have been waiting for, and that we celebrate the anniversary of today.

The source of our peace has come, but this peace is not for everyone. It is only for those who are capable of receiving it, i.e. those of good will.

To receive this gift of peace from God, we must receive Jesus Christ, the Son of God. We must love Him with our entire being, and with a love that is preferential. We cannot allow anything to be placed above or before Him. So what does it mean to love God this way? How can we discern this virtue in ourselves?

Christ, Himself gives us the answer: "If you love Me, you will keep My word. . ." There is no peace for those who live a sinful life. Those who love sin are the enemies of God. To find this peace we must hate and detest sin. St. Anselm said: "If the jaws of hell were open on one side, and on the other were sin flattering and enticing me, I would rather go down into hell alive than yield to a single sin." This is how much the saints detested sin, and this should be our goal likewise. We should be ready to die rather than commit the slightest offense against God.

Many deceive themselves into believing that they can have peace even though they will not give up: sinful association, abandon a bad habit, make restitution for injustices, forgive offenses, etc. Such is the illusion of most of mankind.

This Christmas we are called upon to abandon these illusions and put off our sins by a true repentance and conversion, so that we may enjoy the true peace that Christ brought for us over two-thousand years ago. Let us abandon all sin and begin to detest it as the saints have done, and once we have cleared our conscience let us welcome Christ in the Holy Eucharist into our hearts so that we may obtain the gift of peace. And if we cannot physically receive Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, let us make most fervent frequent Spiritual Communions. This is the only way for us to receive true peace.

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