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Homily (Reflection) for Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Easter (26th April, 2016) on the Gospel

 

Acts 14:19-28;
Ps 144:10-13.21. (R. cf. v.12);
Jn 14:27-31.

Topic: Actual Cause of the world’s crisis.

Today’s gospel opened with these words of Christ, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” Christ’s peace as we can see is one with a difference.

After erecting an altar Gideon called it, The LORD is peace, cf. Judg 6:24. And for Saint Paul, our God is “the God of peace” (Phil 4:9). Again, while prophesying about the coming of Christ, Isaiah referred to Him as the “Prince of Peace” (Is 9:6). He came and preached peace to everybody both far and near, cf. Eph 2:17.

Peace continues to be one of the things that elude the world not minding the breakthroughs we have made in different areas especially in security. Saint Paul rightly admonished, “Be at peace among yourselves” (1Thess 5:13). And in the letter to the Hebrews we also read, “Strive for peace with all men, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord” (Heb 12:14). However, in the prophet Jeremiah we read, “We looked for peace, but no good came, for a time of healing, but behold, terror” (Jer 8:15; cf. Jer 14:19). These words from prophet Jeremiah capture the true condition of the world. What is the matter?

We must remember that true peace results from righteousness, cf. Is 32:17. Hence we read from the psalm, “Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it” (Ps 34:14; cf. 1Pt 3:11). And God spoke through prophet Isaiah that there is no peace for the wicked, cf. Is 48:22; 57:21. Again, peace can only rest on those who are actually out for peace, cf. Lk 10:6.

The confusion we face today in every part of the world therefore is as a result of our rejection of Christ because Christ is our peace, Eph 2:14. No one can find Peace outside Peace (Christ). Hence, He said to His disciples, “... in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution” (Jn 16:33). So unless we go back to Christ, the peace we spend so much searching for will continue to elude us. In Christ alone is true peace.

Bible Reading: Eph 2:11-22.

Thought for today: Only in Christ is true peace.

Let us pray: May the LORD strengthen you and bless you with peace – Amen, cf. Ps 29:11.

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