Go in Peace

When I was a boy my family lived on the British island of Antigua. I recall Dr. Lucius Wynter, an ophthalmologist who could set broken bones. He was of African descent and a Knight in the Order of the British Empire. With a fine baritone that moved between proper British and island patios, he greeted everyone, even this small boy, in the same way: “Good day, my Lord.”

When the conversation was done, Dr. Wynter parted with the words “Go in peace” and all who were with him were dismissed.

To dismiss means to send away. The deacon’s dismissal, “Go in peace to love and serve the Lord” sends us away, into the world. It is fitting to be dismissed with the word ‘Peace’ for we are to carry our Peace with us.

Yet, even now, the word that strikes me is ‘go.’ To ‘go’ requires action. We are to go into the world to love and serve the Lord.

Go in peace,
Josh