Peace Beyond

To find peace, we must venture where it is to be found, and it is found by the wise… who are called and chosen in Christ, and as Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. “

Whether Connecticut or Monrovia – to the furthermost corners of the world – the heavenly transport of God’s Spirit (if one can say we transport God’s spirit, as opposed to him walking with, as he dwells within us) well, it is God who leads us to bear our own crosses. This is true of Bishop Francis Burns. In 1863, he was encouraged to leave Monrovia for health reasons. He returned to Baltimore, Maryland. Three days later he took his flight to heaven. Nevertheless  Bishop Burns’ body was returned to Monrovia for burial. – much like Joseph’s bones returned from Egypt for burial in Israel. 

Thus, I muse – isn’t it true the body – in death – seems to return us to where the heart resided when living… where our affections returned throughout life during times of needed joyful recollections… sweet melancholy… spiritual refurbishment? Don’t we fly to where we felt loved on earth… where we found the comfort of home? Is that not our heaven on earth? Our peace? Certainly our flight back to where our spirit and soul is one with Christ… will ultimately end with our bodily resurrection… where spirit and soul is rejoined with the body.

Oh, the spirit and soul ascended…
befriended by Christ,
To wait beneath Christ’s throne…
When it comes?
Ne’re will it be long past. 

As for Lucinda Hazard? Does it matter that we don’t know more about her life? No. We do know that she doubted she’d return to Connecticut. In her letter to Pluma, Naomi’s daughter and close childhood friend, she wrote, “When shall I see you again? Will it be this side of the grave? Perhaps so – some of you; still it is doubtful.” Lucinda’s words… so wonderful… so bittersweet… dripping with a loving reminiscence of days past. Yet, full of faith and hope of a greater future gathering together. Indeed, indeed… every indication is that Lucinda found peace, and in that peace she found strength, even as Paul spoke of his traveled, difficult journeys… “Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea.”  

Yes, indeed, indeed… to find peace, there is a peace beyond… it matters not whether Lucinda Hazard, Bishop Francis Burns, his wife Louisa… the Apostle Paul… me… you… we… what matters is the peace of God that surpasses understanding. May it be so for you.