Leaving with peace

The texts in the Roman Catholic Lectionary show us the violence and discontent which can arise among people who fight over ideas. It seems that religious ideas have a particular ability to enflame passion and promote strife. The crowds often seem to be fickle and their loyalty swings from one idea to another. But Jews came there( Lystra and Derbe) from Antioch and Iconium and won over the crowds (Acts 14:19) The refrain of the psalm today reminds believers to “. Make known to the sons of men, O Lord, the glorious splendor of thy kingdom.”. The action of the disciples to make known the Word to all the world is the Christian commission. The dialogue of Jesus in John chapters 13 -15 gives us some insight into the manner of the evangelization we do. He consoles “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives.” (John 14:27). The peace of the Shepherd, who gives all for the sheep, allows that there may be opposition as Paul and Barnabas encounter but that the relationship with Jesus will capture the indwelling Spirit of people and bring an inner life which responds to the call to be the Body of Christ in peace sometimes in persecution.