Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Easter
(Acts 14:19-28; John 14:27-31a)
Paul rises from the ground where he was left half-dead. It was not the first time that he had been abused
for preaching the gospel. But he
refuses to be discouraged. He will
proclaim the Lord in other places.
Today’s gospel supplies his motive.
Jesus tells his disciples that he gives them peace. His presence is assurance. The disciples can draw from his strength, his
equanimity, and his concern. But the peace that he has in mind is reserved for
the night of his resurrection. There his
return from a violent death validates all that he has said about eternal
life. The disciples and eventually Paul
do not have to cower before anyone when they stand with him. They too will rise from the dead.
We may wonder if we stand with Jesus. We may go to church and never lie or steal. Yet we are not sure if our good conduct is
not just show. Other creepy thoughts
like the reality of eternal life may enter our minds. At these moments we must rise from the dust
like Paul. We should dismiss our doubts
and give thanks for all the love and goodness we have known. Then we too can tell others about the Lord.
