Feast of Sts. Chastan & Imbert: A Peace the World Cannot Give
On Sunday, 22nd September, the parish community gathered to celebrate the Feast of Sts. Chastan and Imbert and the 29th Anniversary of SCIC Church. At the 9 a.m. English Mass, Deacon Wilson preached on the theme of Peace, drawing on the Gospel of the day to expound on what the Peace of the Lord truly means.
In Mark 9:30-37, Jesus shares a momentous revelation with His disciples: He will be handed over, suffer, and die on the cross. But rather than grappling with the profound message, the disciples quickly divert into an argument about power and position—who is the greatest among them? “They were arguing because they were so disturbed,” said Deacon Wilson. The disciples were not at peace with themselves as they were greatly troubled by worldly concerns.
This scene might feel familiar to us. Often, like the disciples, we too become consumed with our status—where we stand in our communities, workplaces, or even within the Church. But Jesus delivers a message that cuts through this desire for position: “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the last and serve the rest.” Christ calls us not to seek power but to embrace a life of humility and servanthood.
Jesus also challenges His disciples to become childlike in their approach. Children do not fixate on power or position. They live freely, playing and exploring without concern for titles or status. Jesus invites us to adopt this childlike humility and simplicity in our lives, for it is in doing so that we will find true peace.
Through these teachings, Jesus tells us that true peace begins not in the mind, but in the heart. While we may often believe that peace is a matter of the mind—something to be figured out or controlled—it is at the point where the mind ends and the heart begins that we truly experience the peace Christ offers.
In John 14:27, Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives, do I give to you.” The peace of Christ is not based on worldly circumstances or fleeting emotions. The verse continues, “Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” And so it is with the peace of Christ that is a gift from the Holy Spirit, something that settles in our hearts and grows outward, impacting everyone around us.
When we rely on the Holy Spirit, we experience a peace that transcends all understanding, that will guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus, as Paul reminds us in Philippians 4:7. It’s a peace that breaks down walls and transcends the boundaries of traditions and rituals. Once we open our hearts to this peace, we can become true instruments of peace in the world, sharing Christ’s love with everyone we encounter.
Isaiah 26:3 promises, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” It’s not about a mind that tries to control the heart, for such control can stifle love and lead us away from God’s path. Rather, it is a mind that is steadfast that gains peace. Through prayer, we can keep our minds steadfast, centred on God’s will, and open to His love, leading to the perfect peace God promises.
The peace the world offers is conditional, tied to circumstances. But the peace of Christ is unconditional. It doesn’t depend on what’s happening around us, but on trusting God’s grace and goodness. When we lean into this trust, our hearts can rest in the knowledge that God will guide and help us. We are invited to be like children, going to the Father and receiving His peace.
So, ask yourself: Is my heart at peace? Is my mind at rest, allowing my heart to love?
The martyrs, Sts. Chastan and Imbert, serve as a powerful example of what it means to live in the peace of Christ. Even in the face of persecution and death, they remained grounded in their faith, at peace with God and with themselves. Their unwavering peace came from their deep relationship with Christ, which allowed them to offer their lives for the Gospel.
Let us seek that same peace in our lives—a peace not contingent on circumstances but rooted in a heart united with Christ. Let us allow our minds to rest that our hearts may open to love, for it is there that true peace begins.