April 30, 2013
Feast of Saint Pius V
John 14: 27-31a
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. You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I am coming to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe. I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over me; but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us be on our way.
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved (http://www.usccb.org/bible/approved-translationsGift of the Resurrection
Easter testifies to the power of the cross: in today’s Gospel. Jesus promises peace to His disciples, a peace distinct from the world. Jesus’ peace, we hear, quells troubled and fearful hearts everlasting. As we consider the disciple’s lot, and our own, perhaps everlasting peace is the single most important gift of the Resurrection. Surely we know anxiety, and our world lies in tension, particularly in places of great political, social, and familial strife. Yet, the good news of John’s testimony is that in the triumph of the cross, peace will be the final word. What a timely message to lean into this Easter. Surely, this truth is on the mind of our Holy Father, invoking St. Francis and his peaceful embodiment of the Christ-life for his pontifical title. And as an Easter people, all faithful are invited to trust all the more in this peace of our Christ. In this place of deepening trust, we join with Jesus to more earnestly work toward this promise of peace, bringing justice to all peoples.
Am I asking for this deepening grace of trust this Easter, that despite the evidence otherwise, I believe more fully in this peace promise of the Risen Christ? And in this place of deeper faith, am I more emboldened to work with Jesus towards its fulfillment? —
Matthew Couture, Provincial Assistant for Secondary and Pre-Secondary Education, Chicago-Detroit Province and Wisconsin ProvincePrayer
Lord, despite the evidence of unrest in our life, we ask for a deepening grace of trust. We desire to believe more fully in this peace promised by the Risen Christ. And we pledge to work with you to bring peace to others.
—The Jesuit Prayer Team Please share the Good Word with your friends!
