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[Jesus said] “When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you.”

Most often, when I hear the word “peace,” I think of war between two nations coming to an end. I know that in church, “peace” is more often a reference to having a good relationship with God because of what Jesus has done. But it’s rare that I think of peace like Jesus uses the word in this Bible verse.

Maybe I would be calmer if I remembered that peace is something I have and can share simply by speaking. I have peace with everyone because of what Jesus has done. I can say “peace to this house” or “peace to you” and extend my peace to individuals or whole families. I can have good relationships with them.

If those people are also peaceful, we can share in the good relationship made possible by forgiveness and love from Jesus. If those people are not peaceful, my peace is not shattered. It simply returns to me.

The advice of Jesus to his disciples is good advice for me. If it is possible, as far as it depends on me, I can maintain peace with everyone.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Amen.

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All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.