“Grace to you and peace.” I Thessalonians 1:1
These are the words, or derivations thereof, that St. Paul uses to begin all of His letters. So also, they are the words St. Peter uses to begin both of his letters in the New Testament. It’s not just “grace to you,” or “peace to you,” but the two always go hand in hand. Simply stated, when we have the unmerited favor of God and His protection and work of sanctification, there is peace. When we have the forgiveness of sins, we have peace with God and it grants us a peace within ourselves and a peace that we can share with others.
While we have both of these gifts in full measure because of Christ, we do not always experience them as such. Sin, death and the power of the devil are always trying to steal them away so that we do not live their realities in our everyday lives. There is always more grace and more peace to be enjoyed as we give ourselves over to the truths of God. We do this as we regularly go to His Holy Word and receive the blessed Sacrament and as we call upon the Lord in prayer. It makes one wonder about just how much we are missing out on because we don’t put our hand into the hand of the Savior.
Paul and Peter both knew this truth, and it is likely the reason they emphasize grace and peace so much in all of their letters, even making a point to begin their correspondence with these important words. These gifts can never be over used and they are always available in plenty. It is the reason why our Apostolic brothers continue to ask the Lord that they be multiplied in us and among us.
Today we begin by praying God’s grace and peace to be upon us in greater measure and that we may know and live their benefits even in a world where so much grace is lacking and there is much that tries to steal our peace. God’s Holy Spirit will not allow this. And so, Brothers and Sisters in Christ,… grace and peace be unto you this day and everyday!
Know that you are loved!
Peace and Joy,
Pastor Kilian