Whenever we suffer fear or anxiety, let us recall Jesus’ promise of peace
Reflections on the readings for the Sixth Sunday of Easter (May 26, 2019): ACTS 15:1-2,22-29; PS 67:2-3,5,6,8; REV 21:10-14,22-23; JN 14:23-29
MISSIO offers “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
Today’s Gospel reading from St. John is part of what is known as Jesus’ last discourse.
On the night before He died, He addressed to the Apostles: “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.’… I have told you this before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe” (John 14:27-29). Our Lord wanted them to understand that His blessing of peace means far more than a feeling of comfort or the absence of violence. Christ offers a restoration of the harmony between God and His people that existed before the Fall in the Garden of Eden. This is only possible through the sacrifice of the Son of God’s own life for the salvation of the all His children.
In response to His merciful gift, Jesus wants each of us to trust Him with our life, our soul, our whole being. We no longer have to fear the world because He reveals all we need to know, to do, and to be. We embrace forgiveness and hope as His followers on earth as we anticipate a whole eternity in His precious company. Jesus’ beautiful and encouraging message was intended to prepare His disciples for His death and resurrection as well as for the mission they would take up after His ascension. He wanted them to know that He would never leave them. And He wants us to know the same thing.
