I took a corporate management course once, and in a section on "Delegation," the instructor encouraged us to provide co-workers with "very simple instructions" when first giving them responsibility. The idea was to make it easy for employees to succeed, so that they would have more confidence when given more difficult assignments.

In today's Gospel reading, Jesus delegates his ministry to 72 disciples and sends them out in pairs ahead "to every town and place he intended to visit." The message Jesus gives his delegates is exceedingly simple. "Into whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace to this household.' If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you."

Jesus would make a good manager. He gives his followers simple instructions, and a simple message to deliver: "Peace to this household."

For some reason, the simplicity of the Gospel message often surprises me. I guess because we live in a world of such complexity and busyness, we expect that everything is supposed to be complex and busy. "Peace to this household" is a message that is simple and serene and attractive.

Peace - in my life, in my community, and in the world - is something I crave. It seems to be so elusive.

Conflicts in my own mind - between service and selfishness, between generosity and greed, between trusting God and trusting something else to bring me happiness - afflict me. Conflicts in my family, my community, and the world are painful to witness and to experience. Jesus cuts through the political spin and personal rationalizations and sends his messenger to ask us whether we want peace in our households.

The easy answer to this challenge is, of course, "yes." Of course I want peace in my life. A greater challenge is whether I am willing to live as if I want peace in my life. Like most of the choices Jesus asks us to make, it is simple but it is not easy.

To want peace is different than to choose peace. To choose peace means to want something for everyone more than we want something just for ourselves. It is something we cannot receive without being willing to share it.

What is this peace that the disciples are extending to those who will be visited by Christ? It is not just the absence of conflict or difficulty, but it is the presence of God. When the disciples say "Peace to this household," it is a household that will soon be visited by Jesus. Jesus brings with him not an escape from strife and difficulty but the ability to experience peace in any circumstances. We must welcome this peace, this presence.

We share Christ's peace each Sunday, extending our hands to our neighbors and wishing them this awesome gift. We wish one another freedom from fear and pain, but we also wish one another the presence of Christ in their lives. After all, Jesus continues to delegate his followers to spread his message.

Fortunately for us, the message and the instructions are as simple today as they were two thousand years ago. We are called to extend Christ's peace to the households we visit. We cannot share it if we have not experienced it.

Bill Peatman writes from Napa.