"Please I leave with you; my peace I give to you." John 14:27
Easter has come, 'tis true, but Easter has not gone! The church wisely balances the 6-week long Lenten period with a 6-week glorious celebration of Easter to Ascension. And, then extends a 10-day postlude that will culminate with the solemnity of Pentecost on May 23rd. Today's first reading from the Acts of the Apostles sets a good pattern for us. Paul tells us: "They called the Church together and reported what God had done for them and how he opened the door of faith to the Gentiles." This attitude dovetails nicely with our diocesan theme "Courageously Living the Gospel." It takes some courage, doesn't it, to candidly share with another the wonder of God's working in your life. But, set aside any hesitation. We can rely on Jesus' promise in the Gospel: "Peace I leave you, my peace I give you. DO NOT LET YOUR HEARTS BE TROUBLED OR AFRAID!" Jesus is bestowing something significant here to his followers, to us, a gift of profound import, of divine consequence. Not worldly peace, although that is certainly important. Today, as we continue to make our way through the pandemic, we tend to think of peace as the absence of anxiety, illness, loss, conflict and worry. But the gift Jesus offers us is more than that. Shalom / Peace is a total gift: body, soul and spirit. Jesus' emphasis is "my" peace – not the peace the world can give. His is peace in the midst of Paschal living bringing with it joy, inner comfort and a relaxed feeling of well-being.
What if, for one day (or even an hour or two) you let go of the weight of all that worrying over deadlines, tasks and troubles. Lighten your approach to life. Absorb the sensation of a helium-filled balloon that has just been released from the grasp of a child's hand. Get a new perspective. Float above all of earth's cares and LET GOD BE GOD. Jesus promised, "MY peace I give you."
Today I ask for the grace to LET GOD BE GOD
Reflection by:
Sr. Roberta Bailey, OSB
Did You Know...
Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, is currently the prioress (president) of the Benedictine Sisters of Florida in Saint Leo. Sister serves on the diocesan Commission for Religious. She is the former principal of St. Anthony Catholic School in San Antonio, Florida, and Saint John Paul II Catholic School in Lecanto, Florida. Sister Roberta is celebrating her 61st year in religious life.
