Shalom for 2024
Our family’s theme for this 2024 new year is “Shalom”. “Shalom” comes from the Hebrew word for peace, but this one Hebrew word has deeper meaning than just peace. The ancient Hebrew concept of “shalom” includes the meanings of wholeness, completeness, health, serenity and a restful calm, safety and prosperity, with a connotation of permanence.
In contrast, the English word for “peace” usually describes a condition that should be but is not yet. Peace typically centers around the cessation or absence of military conflict and hostilities as well as freedom from inner turmoil. In this way, countries can obtain peace even through violent means. For example, nations often go to war in the name of peace.
Shalom is Perfect Peace
Thus, peace and shalom are similar but two distinct concepts. Peace can be dictated, whereas shalom is understood to be a mutual agreement. Likewise, peace is achieved through a temporary agreement, whereas shalom includes a permanent pact. Shalom always implies a positive sense of serenity, but peace can be achieved through negative ways. In this way, peace can be partial, but shalom stands for wholeness and completion.
Jews also use the word “shalom” as a greeting. It literally means “peace be with you” or “peace go with you”. “Shalom” is also used as a benediction to bless people before they depart. This blessing implies a state of mind that is characterized by harmony and satisfaction in relationships. In truth, shalom is essential for our physical and mental health. Deficiencies in inner peace directly negatively impact physical health and cause a host of pathological effects.
To fully understand the meaning of shalom, one must look at Scripture because shalom fundamentally means reconciliation with God. Shalom is referred to as the reconciliation of all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, with God (Colossians 1:20). Therefore, shalom is multidimensional including physical, psychological, social, and spiritual facets. Through Christ, all relationships are put right with oneself and with others, even with nature.
Unfortunately, global conflicts continue to be on the rise. Now more than ever it is essential to root our lives in shalom. The Russo-Ukraine war has witnessed close to 500,000 casualties since the conflict broke out 18 months ago. In Israel, the official death toll from Hamas’s attacks stands at more than 1,200; whereas the death toll in Gaza has totaled more than 11,200. In the past two years, the Ethiopian civil war has suffered approximately 600,000 civilian deaths making it the deadliest war of the 21st century. War continues to ravage other countries as well, including Myanmar, Afghanistan, Syria, and Sudan.
In addition, the Korean Peninsula stands still at an indefinite state of war. In fact, the Korean War is the longest unresolved U.S. conflict since a peace treaty has never been signed. Due to South Korea’s threatening rhetoric and political tensions, the North Korean leader recently announced at the 2023 end of the year party convention that reunification is realistically “impossible”. North Korea appears satisfied to remain as separate “belligerent states” at war. Instead of striving for reunification as one nation and one state with two separate systems, North Korea is now pursuing a “two-Korea” future.
2023 End of the Year DPRK Party Meetings
These statements are cause for concern. Although it is realistic, and even accurate, to view North and South Korea as two separate states and to pursue a two-nation future, accepting an unending state of war may escalate conflict and tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
Our goal should not just be for the absence of violence and war but also for reconciliation, restoration, and wholeness. It is important that both North and South Korea have the opportunity to claim their own identities and define the narratives that make them the nations that they are. Instead of isolating or marginalizing a group of people, shalom fights for justice in an unjust world and encompasses restorative resolutions to the long-entrenched conflict on the Korean Peninsula.
May this year be the year of Shalom. Shalom is different from the world’s understanding of peace. In shalom, there is no fear or troubles but wholeness, healing and health, serenity and calm. This is our family’s prayer for the world and for Korea in 2024.