Acts 14: 19-28,
Psalm 145:10-11. 12-13ab.21,
John 14:27-31a Full Readings
My peace I give you
Today's starts with Jesus’ greeting of ‘Peace’. This was the common greeting in Judaism, ‘Shalom!’; it still is widely used today. But here it is specified by Jesus as ‘my peace’. By association this common greeting acquires a special meaning in Christianity from its use here, from its solemn use by the Risen Christ when he comes to his own people as they cower in the upper room, and from its use by Paul at the beginning of all his letters – even Galatians. It is lifted even higher through its use by the angels of the Nativity. Christ’s peace denotes more than an absence of war. It must be a true peace of generosity and justice, for all to be at peace in themselves with a clear conscience and with others in friendship, hearts untroubled and unafraid.
Brethren, the nature of peace that Jesus gives is different from our world understanding of peace. Popularly we understand peace as absence of war, absence of suffering, and getting whatever one needs. But the peace of Christ is far better than this, it is the peace that brings tranquility of heart, the peace that gives us strength and courage to face our daily challenges and the peace that helps us to attain the highest good which is God Himself. The peace of Jesus is both internal (within one's heart) and external peace(outside peace). This is the true peace; peace of the world deceives us.
Jesus is aware of world peace, peace which deceives, it comes from the ruler of this world: Satan but Christ conquers it. Satan is always aiming at destroying the peace Christ gives and our relationship with God. It deceives us with appealing things, things that are very sweet, attractive, big promises, convincing and glittering. We can easily be attracted to these things easily and also easily get them. However at long last, they just give us short term peace, living in pretense, peace which is external not internal. Brethren, not all those who are rich, secure, not in any conflict, having good family and all good things one can think, are happy especially when they are without Christ. They are happy outside but the peace of heart which Christ gives is lacking. To be peaceful both internally and externally we need Christ.
It's our choice now to choose which peace we want to pursue, the peace of Christ or peace that the world gives. If we want the peace that Christ gives, we have to let the Holy Spirit lead our lives and open our hearts and minds to receive that peace. The peace of Christ will lead us through all the sufferings, challenges, and troubles and leaves our hearts untroubled. It is the peace from which the Apostles Paul and Barabbas withdrew strength to continue the mission to the pagans despite all persecution and challenges as we see in the first Reading.
Reflect today on where you get your peace, do you have both external and internal peace? And then pray for the Graces we need to receive that peace that Christ gives.
Let us pray
Lord may your peace be always with us that we may always experience that tranquility that your peace gives. Lord may we hear that statement of peace again from you especially in this time of pandemic. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Be blessed forever and Happy Easter
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