Pier Giorgio's Easter wish

There's that moment in almost every Mass (sometimes it's omitted) when we are asked to turn to those around us and say, "Peace be with you." It's become a light moment that generates a lot of talking in church and comes with a wide range of expressions from a wave, to a handshake to a hug or the two-finger sign across the aisles.

This moment is supposed to mean something. Rooted in the ancient celebration of the liturgy, it symbolizes that we first are at peace with our brother before going to receive Our Lord in the Eucharist. And what we are wishing those around us is truly one of the greatest gifts - peace - something so greatly lacking in our world, our families, our homes, our lives, our hearts.

Pier Giorgio writes about peace more than 50 times in his letters. It was a frequent wish that he shared with his friends and a frequent lament that he made when he saw how much it was lacking in various situations. 

One of the most revealing insights into his interior life, in my opinion, is reflected in the way he ends a long letter to his best friend Marco during his final months on earth:

I hope that this letter reaches you for Easter and so I send you my best wishes, rather just one, but I believe it to be the only wish that a true friend can make to a dear friend and it is this: the Peace of the Lord be with you always because when you possess peace every day you will be truly rich.

The wealth that surrounded Pier Giorgio during his lifetime would have been significant even by today's standards. He grew up with maids, cooks, gardeners, a chauffeur, etc. He came in contact with very influential members of various segments of society from politics to the arts. He traveled and attended balls and casually visited high-ranking church officials. But none of this worldy wealth brought peace into his family life. The strained relationship of his parents is a common theme of most biographies about him. One story tells of how he had to finally slam his fist on the table during a meal and say, "Enough!" to end the bickering.

Pier Giorgio knew that real riches come only from the Prince of Peace. And I believe he would have traded all of the material wealth for his family to have this spiritual wealth on a daily basis. Marco certainly would have understood what Pier Giorgio was dealing with when he wished him the Peace of the Lord from one dear friend to another. 

It probably would be a good practice to be more intentional when we offer the sign of peace to those around us at Mass. It would also be appropriate to ask Blessed Frassati to help bring peace into our homes and our country and our world. Forget about the lottery tickets and let him help us become truly rich. Peace be with you!  

Verso l'alto! ///cmw