Peace to Your Household

Peace to Your Household 
By MARY OLIVA PATIÑO 
 
“Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be with you and your household.’” (Luke 10:5).  Our Lord Jesus Christ sends his disciples out, guiding their conduct as they go forth to proclaim His Word. Their mission is to prepare His coming. Jesus tells his disciples how to live and what to say when entering another person’s home. He warns them that they will encounter many obstacles and dangers for they will be “like lambs among wolves.” (Luke 10:3). Have you ever encountered this? 
He further tells them that if “a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on them; but if not, it will return to you.” (Luke 10:6). 
This Gospel reading reminds me of a mission trip in Coahuila, Mexico. It was my first and like subsequent missionary journeys, it was for a week or two. In this case, I traveled with a group of lay persons and a priest. During that week, I remained with my host family. The father, mother, and two young girls were kind and generous with what little they had. Their home was quiet and I felt God’s peace residing within their home. Despite the drought and poverty in the village, the people were generous to us. One day, I walked down the dirt path with the girls to their schoolhouse and then to the river. The river was drying. Another time, their mother and I talked about the cows which she was going to feed. They refused their now regular meal of nopales. They were tired of eating cactus! Somehow, while I don’t recall our own meals, I do remember vividly a small bowl of oranges on the table. Those oranges were delicious! 
Years later, I find myself in another home, at another table where we gather to pray and share God’s Word. “Peace be with you and your household.” These are the words I speak when I enter their doorway. If I don’t say them out loud, they resonate within me.  
We are prayer warriors. We share fellowship and study the Bible, the sacramental life, and the lives of the Saints. Our hosts reflect the kindness and generosity of Christ.
Whenever I miss our gatherings, I feel a wee bit sense of loss. Our bond is friendship in Jesus Christ. Everyone gathered there opens their hearts with generous hospitality to all who enter. Their kindness and peace extend wherever they go. Isn’t this what our Lord asks of us? 
Above all, I believe that our first home is the grateful heart that creates a peaceful place for our neighbor and the Lord. “Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this household.’” -Luke 10:5. So, I might close with: Lord, let our hearts be homes of peace for whoever is near and especially for Our Lord who is always present and allays our fears.