“Peace be with you.”
“And also with you.”
Growing up Roman Catholic, I had always felt the liturgy to be mechanical and repetitive. As a kid and young teen, I never understood too much why we offered peace. To be honest, I was always socially anxious and dreaded the moment that service would halt, and everyone would start shaking each other’s hands and maybe having brief, casual conversation. I would quickly shake my sister’s, mom’s, and brother’s hand, and then put my head down, fearing someone else would talk to me or shake my hand.
Fast forward a decade. I’m sitting in All Hallows Episcopal Church in Pennsylvania, being received into the Episcopal Church. During the offering of peace, I marveled as the bishop stepped down from the altar and went to each person sitting in the congregation, one by one, to say, “Peace be with you.” He had a warm smile and genuine love for the people in the pews.
For me, it was the moment I truly appreciated the beauty and camaraderie of this portion of the liturgy. When he finished, he mentioned how he enjoyed taking a moment to really see the people he’s preaching to. With a chuckle, he said, “People will spend two to three hours watching a football game; they can wait during a church service.”
It wasn’t just a quick, mechanical action. Rather, I realized to offer someone else peace is a true blessing: a moment to acknowledge the other members of the congregation and experience community. I don’t expect every priest or preacher to give peace to their whole congregation, but I did learn from the bishop the love and significance that went into this moment of the service.
When Jesus was with his disciples, he said, “Peace be with you, my peace I offer you. Not as the world offers.” During the peace, there’s a genuine moment to share the peace of Christ. As a Christian, I realize that I have been gifted peace from Christ, even if many times I do not feel aligned with this peace or my own worries and anxieties make me forget that this peace has been gifted to me!
The peace of Christ is certainly not something I should keep to myself — rather, it is something I feel compelled to share with other people I meet each day. A point I will build upon in future devotionals, and one that I will most likely reiterate, is that those who receive ought to give in return. Not to keep for ourselves and hoard, but to share with other people and help foster positive and welcoming communities.
In part, this is one reason I want to start writing my own devotionals. Day to day, I’m noticing lots of folks who have no peace. Who could blame them? Each news cycle seems to bring more despair. More frighteningly, I’m noticing a lot of folks losing hope as well.
Peace and hope are especially important for anyone in recovery and on the journey of sobriety — community too. An especially hard lesson as a Christian is to learn that Jesus really means it when he says the peace he gives is “not as the world gives.”
There’s a hope to cling to — that life is more than this current world. That doesn’t mean we abandon the world and let it burn, but it means that we have to strive onward when everything in the world feels so hopeless.
What’s striking is Jesus tells his disciples “Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” In context, he tells them this a few days before his crucifixion and death. The worst has yet to come, but Jesus offers his disciples peace — to not be troubled and not be afraid. Talk about other-worldly peace!
Of course, if I’m honest, not letting my heart be troubled or myself be afraid has been one of the biggest difficulties I come across in life. There is relief in knowing I do not have to do this alone, and we are all placed in communities where we can encourage each other to not grow troubled or fearful; one little step at a time.
So, it is my humble little hope (or maybe overestimated expectation!) to try and provide a brief moment of peace and hope to readers through these devotionals. Take a moment to pause and reflect on how these verses from the Bible and be applied to your own life.
I also want to make a point that I welcome other perspectives and belief systems. I’ll be writing these devotionals from my perspective as a Christian, but feel free to take what you can and apply any lesson to your own higher power, or whatever guides you. I love hearing what others have to say about their beliefs. Christ never said, “go and share peace with only other Christians.” Rather, the call is to share peace with all. So, I hope we can all come together and discuss our various sources of peace and comfort.
Questions to ponder:
What is your source of peace?
Do you know anyone who’s in recovery or trying to get into recovery who needs peace?
How can you help or offer peace?
SPIRITUAL GANGSTER: at The Sober Curator is a haven for those embracing sobriety with a healthy dose of spiritual sass. This space invites you to dive into meditation, astrology, intentional living, philosophy, and personal reflection—all while keeping your feet (and your sobriety) firmly on the ground. Whether you’re exploring new spiritual practices or deepening an existing one, Spiritual Gangster offers inspiration, insight, and a community that blends mindful living with alcohol-free fun.
Spiritual Gangster Line-up:
Stoicism & Sobriety – Ancient Philosophy for Modern Recovery with Sober Curator Contributors Derek Castleman and Tony Harte
The Card Divo – Quick & Sober Tarot Readings with Sober Curator Contributor Senior Daniel G. Garza
Classy Problems – Clarity, Restraint & Mindful Decision-Making with Senior Sober Curator Contributor Dan T. Rogers
SoberCast with Six – Astrology & Tarot for the Sober Life with Senior Sober Curator Contributor Analisa Six
Sobriety in Flow – Yoga Beyond the Poses with Senior Travel Sober Curator Contributor Teresa Bergen
Thirsty for Wonder – Recovery Coaching & Spiritual Companionship with Sober Curator Contributor Anne Marie Cribben
Spiritual Substance – Mindfulness, Science & Soul with Senior Sober Curator Contributor Lane Kennedy
SPEAK OUT! SPEAK LOUD! at The Sober Curator is a celebration of authentic voices in recovery—echoing Madonna’s call to “Express yourself!” Here, readers and contributors take the spotlight, sharing transformative sobriety journeys, creative talents, and new avenues of self-expression discovered along the way. Through videos, poems, art, essays, opinion pieces, and music, we break the silence that often surrounds addiction, replacing it with connection, hope, and inspiration.
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