Brethren, we continue our reflection on the farewell discourse of Jesus and today we see Christ’s parting gift to his disciples: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you." At a moment this looks to be the end of the farewell discourse because after giving them peace, we see Jesus telling his disciples that he has no more to say to them (Jn 14:29) and after this he tells his disciples, "Get up now, let us go" (Jn 14:31b). This suggest that the gift of peace was the end of the farewell discourse and that the rest of the discourse (chapter 15-17) is another edition of the discourse. So why does Jesus give the gift of peace to his disciples as a parting gift just before he died? We see him repeating this peace greeting after resurrection, Why?
The peace was to remain with disciples and carry them through the storm of his Passion and death to his Resurrection so that their hearts would never be troubled at any moment. We all yearn for this true peace, and Christ gives it to us as a free gift. So why are our hearts still troubled when we believe that his peace is with us? It could be because we have a worldly understanding of peace. The world says that peace will happen when everything around us is perfect, when we are free from suffering, when we have freedom from conflict or worry, when there is no war in our world and in our homes. Certainly, this is not the peace that Christ gives as as he himself says, "not as the world gives do I give it to you."
The peace that Christ gives denotes more than an absence of war. 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 true peace of generosity and justice, with a clear conscience, with others in friendship, with hearts untroubled and unafraid, 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. This is the true peace; the external peace of the world deceives us.
Caesarius of Arles (470-542 AD), an early church bishop in Gaul says this on true peace: "Peace, indeed, is serenity of mind, tranquility of soul, simplicity of heart, the bond of love, the fellowship of charity. It removes hatred, settles wars, restrains wrath, tramples on pride, loves the humble, pacifies the discordant and makes enemies agree. For it is pleasing to everyone. It does not seek what belongs to another or consider anything as its own. It teaches people to love because it does not know how to get angry, or to extol itself or become inflated with pride. It is meek and humble to everyone, possessing rest and tranquility within itself. When the peace of Christ is exercised by a Christian, it is brought to perfection by Christ. If anyone loves it, he will be an heir of God, while anyone who despises it rebels against Christ. When our Lord Jesus Christ was returning to the Father, he left his peace to his followers as their inherited good, teaching them and saying, 'My peace I give to you, my peace I leave with you.' Anyone who has received this peace should keep it, and one who has destroyed it should look for it, while anyone who has lost it should seek it. For if anyone is not found with it, he will be disinherited by the Father and deprived of his inheritance." (Sermon 174.1)
Jesus is aware of the ruler of this world for himself says, "for the ruler of the world is coming;" he is aware of the world peace, peace which deceives; that which 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 really at peace 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 Jesus, may your peace be always with me. May no troubling thought, trial or affliction rob me of the peace which passes all understanding. You, alone, O Lord, are my Peace. May I always reside in that peace by believing in your word and by doing your will. Amen
Be blessed forever and Happy Easter
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