Are we really interested in "that kind of peace"?…As adults we all make choices….Peace is a choice

Today at Holy Mass we hear from the Gospel of St John. In the text Jesus speaks of peace. What is interesting is he labels a specific form of peace…”My peace”….What is the difference between the peace of Christ from the so-called peace of the world?…..”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”…..Just as every single human being wants to be happy, I think its safe to assume that all people want to have peace of mind…..Yet, do we know what makes for peace?…And if we do, are we interested in the things that make for peace?….Is there anything worth losing your peace over?…I can not speak for you, but speaking personally, my peace of mind is very valuable….But getting back to the words of Christ today in the Gospel…Jesus says he gives us…”His peace”….What is so great about - “His peace”?…..The peace of Christ is lasting…Just as a person knows after he or she has had a good meal that they are full and satisfied - Its a tangible feeling - Right? - You know it!….The peace of Christ is similar - Its not some “psychological construct”…Its tangible and if you have it, you know it…Why would someone not want peace?…..Americans were raised believing we can “have our cake and eat it too”….As we grow into adulthood, we all learn that life does not work that way…..Is there anything in this world more valuable than your peace of mind?……I can only speak for myself….No there is not

“For the ruler of the world is coming…….He has no power over me”

Years ago when I was traveling a lot for my job, I was in Washington DC. One of my co-workers went to college in Virginia and some of his friends met us out for dinner. They were younger than I was, so it was interesting for me to listen to these recent college graduates talk about how they viewed their professional career now that they were in the “real world”. This one young lady was a public accountant. She was very smart and clearly she was “on track” to becoming very successful in the corporate world. At dinner she is sitting in front of me and she says…”If I sell my soul for like 7 years, I am set”……As she said this, I did not comment, but thought to myself…How terribly sad!….How many people make this same choice?....Guess what?…Peace does not come with that choice

“Christ had to suffer and to rise from the dead, and so enter into his glory”

Today we are told about a certain kind of peace in the Gospel today at Mass…Jesus calls it “My peace”….This kind of peace is real and lasting….Are we really interested in "that kind of peace"?…As adults we all make choices….Peace is a choice