“If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.”

Who except God can give you peace? Has the world ever been able to satisfy the heart? - --Saint Gerard Majella

(Gospel Text: Jn 14: 27-31)

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."

What is peace?

Go to Hawaii - get away from it all? 

Sure, that might work for awhile…….BUT…… will it last?????

Let’s examine this question a little closer. The world gives peace by providing favorable circumstances. In the world's judgment, we are at peace when things are going well and not badly. However, this peace is very insecure due to circumstances beyond our control. The way the world gives peace makes peace a time-bomb ready to explode. Jesus' peace is non-circumstantial. It depends upon our relationship with Him (Jn 16:33) and not upon favorable circumstances. In Jesus, we can have peace amid pain, rejection, suffering, and death. Jesus' peace "is beyond all understanding" (Phil 4:7). He doesn't just give peace; He is our Peace (Eph 2:14). Peace is the binding force which unifies the Church, society, marriages, and families (Eph 4:3). Peace is the guard of our hearts and minds (Phil 4:7). Without peace, our God-given relationships begin to unravel and society begins to disintegrate.

Therefore, pray for peace, make peace (Mt 5:9),"Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace."

Shalom!