Jn 16:29-33
29[Jesus’] disciples said, “Now you are talking plainly, and not in any figure of speech. 30Now we realize that you know everything and that you do not need to have anyone question you. Because of this we believe that you came from God.” 31Jesus answered them, “Do you believe now? 32Behold, the hour is coming and has arrived when each of you will be scattered to his own home and you will leave me alone. But I am not alone, because the Father is with me. 33I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.”
PEACE IN JESUS: Peace is usually understood as freedom from war or public disturbance. On the level of the individual person, peace means absence of mental conflict. But the Hebrew shalom (peace) is more encompassing. Its fundamental idea is well-being in its totality. Anything that contributes to the wholeness can be expressed in terms of peace.
Shalom is also related to the Hebrew perception of salvation which is God’s gift and his action on behalf of the people of Israel. The covenant between the Lord and the people provides the gifts of shalom which includes liberation from evil individuals and groups and the acquisition of well-being and happiness.
In the New Testament, the Greek eirene (peace) is much the same as the Hebrew shalom. It basically means well-being and salvation. Peace is the gift of God in the person of Jesus Christ. At Jesus’ birth, the angelic hosts proclaim: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” (Lk 2:14). During his public ministry, Jesus preaches peace. He enters the city of Jerusalem as king of peace.
Peace is the fruit of Jesus’ passion, death, and resurrection. Jesus breaks the enmity caused by sin. A Pauline passage proclaims this: “For he is our peace, he who made both one and broke down the dividing wall of enmity, through his flesh... that he might create in himself one new person in place of the two, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile both with God, in one body, through the cross, putting that enmity to death” (Eph 2:14-16).
That peace is the fruit of Jesus’ paschal mystery is made clear in the proclamation of it to the disciples: “Peace be with you.” That this peace brings forgiveness and totality of God’s gift is made clear by the accompanying words of empowerment and comfort. The disciples have peace in the midst of trouble because Jesus has conquered the world.