Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.”

 

Gospel Reading: 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."

 

In today’s Gospel reading, Christ is saying farewell to his disciples. He tells them, “Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” Christ is about to be crucified and the apostles will be on their own. Up to this point, they always had Jesus with them. The apostles were about to lose their security blanket. Jesus was like that parent with the little child tightly wrapped around his leg for security. They clutched on tightly to Jesus as he was their protection from the evils in the world. But it was time for Him to leave. He knew that the apostles would be scared once he left. This was brand new territory for the apostles. They always had Jesus to support them. It’s easy to stand proud and tall when you got the big guy is in front of you. But now it was going to be up to them. Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.” Maybe it should really say be calm, because I have made the turbulent waters calm. He gives the gift of peace to calm their souls because the sea they are going to sail upon is very rough. He can provide the same calming grace if we just accept the peace which he offers us. This is the peace and joy we experience when we stand tall for our Christian beliefs. How do you feel when you defend your faith. Do you cower back or do you stand tall knowing the peace and joy of Christ is with you?

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord Jesus, may the your peace fill my soul.

May the joy of knowing you revive my life.

Give me the strength to stand tall in my faith.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon