26-Apr-16

Gospel JN 14:27-31A
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
Not as the world gives do I give it to you.
Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.
You heard me tell you,
‘I am going away and I will come back to you.’
If you loved me,
you would rejoice that I am going to the Father;
for the Father is greater than I.
And now I have told you this before it happens,
so that when it happens you may believe.
I will no longer speak much with you,
for the ruler of the world is coming.
He has no power over me,
but the world must know that I love the Father
and that I do just as the Father has commanded me.”
Reflection:
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
Not as the world gives do I give it to you."
Life is full of difficulties and conflicts. Wars rage, refugees flee, families are torn apart by tragedy, and we all yearn for peace, sweet peace.
But, the peace of "this world" can only be found though the avoidance of life's troubles.
The peace that Jesus gives us does not come from avoiding difficulties, but from confidence in the love of God that allows us to overcome the trials of life.
No worldly difficulty can take away the inner-peace that comes from trusting in the promises of Christ.
In the face of life's most difficult trials, it is our faith that sustains us. Our confident belief that what we hope for will come to pass. This is what brings us the inner calmness that is the peace of Christ.

"Peace: It does not mean being in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work; it means to be in the mist of those things and still be calm in your heart."