The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to proclaim and live in the peace of Christ.
The reading from the Acts of the Apostles describes the return for Barnabas and Paul to Antioch in Syria at the end of the First Mission.
* [14:23] They appointed presbyters: the communities are given their own religious leaders by the traveling missionaries. The structure in these churches is patterned on the model of the Jerusalem community (Acts 11:30; 15:2, 5, 22; 21:18). (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 14, n.d.)
Psalm 145 praises the Greatness and the Goodness of God.
* [Psalm 145] A hymn in acrostic form; every verse begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Acrostic poems usually do not develop ideas but consist rather of loosely connected statements. The singer invites all to praise God (Ps 145:1–3, 21). The “works of God” make God present and invite human praise (Ps 145:4–7); they climax in a confession (Ps 145:8–9). God’s mighty acts show forth divine kingship (Ps 145:10–20), a major theme in the literature of early Judaism and in Christianity. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 14, n.d.)
In the Gospel of John, Jesus declares “My Peace I give to you”
* [14:27] Peace: the traditional Hebrew salutation šālôm; but Jesus’ “Shalom” is a gift of salvation, connoting the bounty of messianic blessing.
* [14:28] The Father is greater than I: because he sent, gave, etc., and Jesus is “a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God” (Jn 8:40).
* [14:30] The ruler of the world: Satan; cf. Jn 12:31; 16:11. (John, CHAPTER 14, n.d.)
Steve Scholer comments that as Christians, we must realize that this wonderful gift is part of Christ’s legacy to us. It can never be stripped from our possession, for it resides not in a house or a bank, but permeates our very heart and soul. For this was granted to us “not as the world gives” personal items to one another, but as Christ gives.
So, as we go about our all-too-busy lives, we need to pause and reflect on the gift of Christ’s peace, to help us build a stronger relationship with God. We should not only let our hearts be filled with his peace, for it is this very peace that defines and shapes us as Christians, but allow that peace to guide us in our thoughts, words and deeds.
Maybe it is best summed up in Philippians 4:7: “The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Scholer, 2023)
Don Schwager quotes “The Following of Christ,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"Come, follow Me, says the Lord. Do you love? He has hastened on, He has flown on ahead. Look and see where. O Christian, don't you know where your Lord has gone? I ask you: Don't you wish to follow Him there? Through trials, insults, the cross, and death. Why do you hesitate? Look, the way has been shown you." (excerpt from Sermon 345,6) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on John 14:27-31 comments that Jesus says, “My peace I give” (John 14:27, emphasis added). The peace of Jesus—the peace that surpasses understanding, the peace that remains constant even in suffering, the peace that cannot be stolen or shaken—this is the peace he freely gives to us! In a world full of uncertainty and conflict, there is no greater gift than the peace of Christ.
Jesus doesn’t just give us this peace; he also shows us how to keep it. Throughout the Gospels, we see him retreating from the commotion of life to pray. And he calls us to do the same. It’s a simple step, but it’s not always easy to do. In prayer we can dip back into the treasure chest of our inheritance and find even more riches. We can hold onto the peace of Jesus as we take the time to be still and rest in the arms of our Father. We can strengthen our peace as we listen for his voice telling us, “You are my beloved child in whom I am well pleased.”
Always remember that in Christ, all the blessings of heaven have been secured for you, now and forever.
“Jesus, thank you for the gift of your peace.” (Meditation on John 14:27-31, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the travelog of the First Mission of Barnabas and Paul as showing growth as they appoint presbyters in the communities they visit. The suffering they endure is a sign of their willingness to join the Cross of Christ. Friar Jude shares the Hour of Glory in John’s Gospel when Jesus shows His greatest love on the Cross.
We are nudged by the Spirit to pause and breath in the peace promised by Jesus as we follow the Way.
References
Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 14. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 9, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/14?19
John, CHAPTER 14. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 9, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/14?
Meditation on John 14:27-31. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved May 9, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/05/09/674986/
Psalms, PSALM 145. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 9, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/145?10
Scholer, S. (2023, May 9). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved May 9, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/050923.html
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 9, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=may9
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