Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Easter (Acts 14:19-28; John 14:27-31a) Perhaps the peace worked out at Versailles in 1919 is emblematic of the fleeting peace which the world gives. It may have ended World War I, but it also set the stage for World War II. By imposing so many hardships on Germany, it virtually assured that nation’s rebellion. Surely this is not Jesus’ peace. The peace which Jesus presents in this final supper with his disciples is fully realized only after his resurrection from the dead. On that evening he will appear to disciples with "peace" on his lips. Then he will breathe on them the Holy Spirit who forgiving their sins fills them with power. If this same peace is given to us in Reconciliation or the Eucharist, why do we not always feel it? We need not doubt its presence but must realize our capacity to embrace it has been compromised by mental, psychological and even physical factors, only some of which are we conscious. By praying over God’s word we can allow Jesus’ peace to deepen us so that we might freely love like him.