阅读经文 

二十世纪可以算是一个人们迫切寻求和平的世纪。第一次世界大战被称为“结束所有战争的战争”，但很快，第二次更大的世界大战又接踵而至。二十世纪六十年代，卖花的孩子们将康乃馨塞进士兵的枪管，高喊着“和平，和平”，以示抗议。七十年代，青年们放弃了好战的心态，寻求内心的平静。八十、九十年代，人们的呼声是“以繁荣求和平”。雅皮士们通过积累财富、追求上进来追逐和平。但在二十一世纪的今天，大多数人根本不知道到哪里去寻找他们所渴望的和平。

只有当圣灵进入我们的生命，我们才能发现真正的和平。圣经中的和平一词是shalom，这是中东地区至今仍在使用的问候语。Shalom指的是一种祝福，包括与神和好、个人的幸福和兴旺、人际关系的和睦、社会的和谐。而耶稣因为爱我们的缘故，藉着祂的降生、受死和复活，使这一切对我们的生命成为了可能。

圣灵的和平也让我们看到了社会不公，敦促我们致力于反对种族主义、暴力执法和新冠病毒（COVID-19）的肆虐。正如堕落的人类用他们所有的能力和毅力发动战争一样，基督徒也用类似的努力和规划发动和平。我们活在圣灵中，就藉着祂为我们赎回的和平纽带，保守我们在基督里的合一。

The 20th century could be described as a desperate search for peace. World War I was called "the war to end all wars," but soon a second, bigger World War followed. In the 1960s flower children stuffed carnations into soldiers' gun barrels while protesting "peace, peace." In the 1970s youths gave up their militancy and sought peace in inner feelings. In the 1980s and '90s the cry was "peace through prosperity." Yuppies chased after peace by accumulating wealth and pursuing upward mobility. But now in the 21st century most people simply do not know where to look to find the peace they crave.

Only when the Holy Spirit comes into our lives will we discover true peace. The biblical term for peace is shalom, a greeting still used in the Middle East today. Shalom refers to a blessing that includes peace with God, personal happiness and flourishing, reconciled relationships, and harmony in society. And Jesus has made all this possible through his life, death, and resurrection for our sake.

The peace of the Spirit also opens our eyes to injustice and urges us to work against racism, police brutality, and the ravages of COVID-19. Just as fallen humans wage war with all of their ability and tenacity, Christians wage peace with similar vigor and strategy. When we live in the Spirit, we maintain our unity in Christ through the bond of peace that he bought for us.