Of course it means peace.
But shalom is a word that overflows the boundaries of its own letters and irrigates other words.
Wellbeing. Harmony. Justice. Fruitfulness. Righteousness. Welcome. Union. And yes, Peace.
"Shalom bears tremendous freight - the freight of a dream of God that resists all our tendencies to division, hostility, fear, drivenness and misery...It refers to all those resources and factors which make communal harmony joyous and effective." (Brueggemann, Living Toward a Vision.)
Shalom is when there are streams in the desert, and the wilderness blossoms. Shalom is an oasis of rest where there are green pastures and the refreshment of water. Shalom is when eyes are opened, the silenced burst into song, the lame dance in freedom, and the broken-hearted learn to smile again.
Shalom is when the heart opts for mercy rather than indifference, chooses compassion instead of blame, urges conciliation in place of conflict, argues that healing is always preferable to wounding, seeks unity and community above division and self-interest, nourishes neighbour love and resists the discourse of division.
For all who, today as every day, long for shalom, in our heart, community, and world, this is a good prayer:
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
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