Shalom — Visualizing what the world could be

Each of us can look around and see things that are not the way they ought not be. When we do this we are implying that we have an idea of “what ought to be.”

In Hebrew there is a word that expresses that very idea. The word is shalom. Typically shalom is translated into English as peace. Peace does not express fully the meaning of shalom. Shalom is much more than peace. Shalom exists when absolutely everything is the way it ought to be.

In Jewish tradition shalom is used as both a greeting and a farewell. In practice it is the finest prayer that can ever be spoken. When used as a greeting or a farewell, it is an expression of our deepest desire for a friend or loved one. May everything in your life be the way it ought to be.

In the John Gospel, in chapter 20, the last conversation between Jesus and his disciples is reported. The story has the disciples hunkered down in an unknown location because they were afraid they would be hunted down and killed just as Jesus had been apprehended and killed. The disciples had actually barred the door. Jesus mysteriously entered the locked room.

When Jesus entered the room, his first word to his disciples was shalom! During their conversation, Jesus repeats the message two more times. Shalom! In our English Bibles his greeting to them is recorded as “peace be with you.” It is a great greeting, but it falls short of the meaning of shalom. The Jesus greeting is dramatic. While his disciples are despairing, Jesus is declaring that everything can be the way it ought to be.

There is a lot in this world that is not the way it ought to be. I read a newspaper every day and listen to the news of national and world events. Poverty, starvation, AIDS, war, murder, rape, incredible violence, global warming, species disappearing. There is always another report about the abomination of the American war in Iraq. More American dead. More Iraqi dead. The growing gap between the rich and the poor in America. People with no access to health care.

Can anything be the way it ought to be?

In John’s scheme of things, Jesus appears in the most dire of circumstances and greets us with shalom! John had it right. Followers of Jesus are folk who believe there is a future for this world and its people. Things can be the way they ought to be, and the followers of Jesus from Nazareth are called to put our time and energies into the pursuit of that goal.

Reading John’s version of Jesus’ last conversation with his disciples, the importance of the shalom message cannot escape one’s attention. But there is another piece to the parting message as reported in John 20. Jesus empowered his disciples to forgive sins.

In some Christian traditions, this passage is interpreted as granting power to ordained clergy and priests to forgive. In my own Baptist tradition, these words empower and commission every follower of Jesus to be a vehicle of forgiveness.

Earlier I recited a short litany of things wrong in this world. We Americans are very good at talking about what is wrong and speculating about who is at fault. We are not very good at the forgiveness exercise. We complain about what is wrong, and we have the finger-pointing exercise down pat. Unfortunately we behave as though we believe things can be made right through accusation, condemnation, penalty and punishment. Forgiveness is the tool by which we get rid of the bad stuff, so we can move on to the good stuff.

We conveniently ignore the forgiveness part of the Jesus message. John portrays Jesus as one who refuses to participate in the blame game. Jesus knew that the blame game would not get his disciples to their own shalom and shalom for others. Neither will it get us to ours. Forgiveness is an essential ingredient.

What does shalom look like in real life? Darlene and I play a game. When we experience things that are the way they ought to be, we turn to one another and say “That was shalom!” It is surprising how often that happens.

The experience is contagious. I actually believe we can have a world without war. I can envision a world where there is food for all and health care for all. I look forward to a society without racial barriers. I truly believe neighbors can love one another.

Shalom!

The Rev. Howard Bess is pastor emeritus of Church of the Covenant, an American Baptist church in Palmer. His email address is hdbss@mtaonline.net.