A few years ago, when Pope Francis visited the United States, during his visit to crime-infested New York City, no serious crime took place there. For a moment there was relative peace in that city. Somehow the presence of Jesus in the Pope shone out over the city, and they had a taste of God’s peace.
Today we read about the gift of peace that Jesus gave his disciples (John 14:27-31).
“Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you.”
The only real peace that ever existed on this earth was that inside the heart of Jesus. He alone was perfectly connected to the Father and free of the inner turmoil that we inherited from Adam. Perfect peace flows from perfect union with God. Amazingly, Jesus gave his disciples a participation in his own peace. Though he was about to leave the earth, he wanted his peace to govern the hearts of his followers.
When we think of peace, we think of political order, freedom from anxiety, and relative calm on the earth. This is the kind of peace the world tries to give, but never succeeds at. We have daily reminders that politics often creates more problems than it does peace. And despite the “wonder drugs” and psychological techniques that exist, mental health problems escalate and suicide rates, at least in our country, continue to rise. When it comes to producing peace, the world has fallen flat on its face. Jesus’ peace goes beyond what the world can give.
Even when chaos seems to be ruling society, the disciple of Jesus is able to remain at peace, just as Jesus did when he slept in the boat during the storm. This is the gift of peace that Jesus continues to give those who turn their lives over to him.
Many of you are familiar with the “Surrender Novena” in which we pray: “Jesus, I surrender my life to you; you take care of everything.” This prayer aims at turning all worries and insecurities over to Jesus and trusting that he will take care of us.
“Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. You heard me tell you, ‘I am going away, and I will come back to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father…”
Peace is something within our hearts, not something outside us. Trouble and fear stem from our insecurities. When Jesus talked about leaving his disciples, they naturally began to be afraid. Like a mother when she leaves the house reminds her children that she will be right back, Jesus assured the disciples that he would come back. And if they really loved him, they would rejoice that at last he was able to return home to be with his Father forever. Inner peace even allows us to rejoice.
Jesus continues to give peace to those who believe in him, and he has chosen to channel it through his Church. At Mass Jesus speaks through the priest when he says, “The peace of the Lord be with you.” At that moment, if our hearts are open, the peace of Jesus flows into us. And then, we have the power to be agents of peace ourselves, when we say to the priest, “And with your spirit.”
Just as the presence of Pope Francis brought a temporary taste of peace to our country, so the presence of Jesus in us generates peace wherever we go.
