John 14:27-31a

Acts 14:19-28

Psalm 145:10-11, 12-13ab-21

John 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.”

Opening Prayer: Lord God, your Son accomplished your will on earth out of love and bestowed the gift of peace on his disciples. Help me to fulfill your will and heed your commands today. I want to overcome the temptation to evil in my life, and I need your grace to do so. I love you and will be faithful to your holy will.

Encountering the Word of God

1. Peace with God: One of the effects of a covenant was peace. Human covenants brought about peace between the two parties. The peace that Jesus offers in the New Covenant is greater than the peace obtained through a human treaty or covenant. Ultimately, the New Covenant mediated by Jesus reconciles God and humanity. The sin of our first parents broke the original covenant of creation and estranged us from God and each other. What Jesus did was take upon himself the curse of the Old Covenant and suffer on our behalf so as to establish the New Covenant. This covenant enables us to love God above all things and our neighbor as ourselves. The Old Covenant, mediated by Moses, did not grant the power to fulfill the laws and regulations of the Old Covenant. All that has changed in the New Covenant. Jesus sends us the grace and gifts of the Holy Spirit, and these empower and enable us to live in supernatural peace with God.

2. Peaceful Hearts: After speaking about the gift of peace, Jesus speaks about our hearts and how the peace effected by the New Covenant frees us from anxiety and fear. The sin of Adam and Eve introduced the fear of death into our hearts. The gates of paradise were closed due to the original sin of the first Adam, but were opened by Jesus, the New Adam. And so, death, while still painful and at times tragic, is not a cause for fear. We need to trust in what Jesus has done for us: “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.’” Jesus has been raised from the dead and has promised to return in glory. He has conquered the curse of death by dying for us. He has conquered the consequences of our sin by suffering for us. He has shown us the way to heaven, for he himself is the Way to the Father.

3. Peaceful Suffering: We need to understand what peace is and what peace is not. Peace is not the same as an easy life or the mere absence of war or trial. Jesus doesn’t promise an easy, care-free life if someone believes in him. He promises the opposite. Peace, then, is not the absence of suffering, sacrifice, and trial. Peace is defined by St. Augustine as the tranquility of order. True peace means being in communion with God and with others. When he promises peace, Jesus also alludes to the “ruler of the world” coming. This is a reference to the devil. However, in the same breath, Jesus says, “He has no power over me.” And so, when we are united to Christ, the devil has no power over us. Therefore, we can be joyful and peaceful even when we suffer or endure trials and tribulations. We have the power of Christ working within us and can do all things with Christ.

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, you are the Prince of Peace and have reconciled us with the Father through your life, death, and resurrection. Attend to my prayer today and hear my cry. Teach me to be a peacemaker so that I may enjoy the blessing reserved for the adopted children of God.

Living the Word of God: At every mass, we hear the words of Christ: “Peace I leave you, my peace I give to you.” This is the peace that flows from the Eucharistic Sacrifice of the New Covenant. This is the peace that we share in. How can I be a peacemaker today and bring others to share in Christ’s peace?