Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Easter

“My Peace Is My Gift to You.”

“I do not give it to you as the world gives peace.”

These words come at the beginning of today’s gospel passage from John
(14:27-31) in the context of the Last Supper.

It’s always helpful to remember, when reading John’s gospel, that this is the last one to be written. This means that there has been more time for the early Church to reflect on the meaning and implications of the Resurrection and what this tells us about Jesus’ true identity. There has been more ‘theological reflection’, a deeper understanding of who Jesus truly was/is, as now seen in hindsight and through the lens of the Resurrection.

And it’s also good to realize what Jesus is not saying. He is not speaking
about the end of all anxiety or fear. These are feelings that come with being
human. Jesus Himself clearly felt fear (terror?) in the Garden with the
prospect of being crucified staring Him in the face. We’re told he sweated
blood. With good reason.

What I think Jesus is talking about is clearer when viewed through the lens
of the Resurrection.

We now know that Life has overcome the power of Death; Goodness has
overcome the power of Evil; and Love has overcome the power of Hate.
This is the bedrock of our faith; we can know this only from the vantage
point of the Resurrection.

We see Jesus’ deep trust in this from the Cross. Despite the physical
agony and seemingly total failure of His life’s work, his final words are-

"Into Your Hands, Father, I commend My spirit.”

With this trust in His Father, He died a peaceful death. Who could have
thought or imagined??

This, I think, is the ‘peace’ that is Jesus’ gift to us.

In moments of despair, crisis, loss, confusion, when all seems ‘lost’, Jesus
asks us to share this trust in Him, in His Father. In the power of the
Resurrection. We are an Easter people year round.

And in our current times and events, domestic and international, this gift
has never been, to my thinking, more timely and needed.