Readings
Acts 14:19-28
John 14:27-31
Reflection
In today’s Gospel Jesus bequeaths his peace to his disciples – a peace this world cannot give. What is significant here is the difference accentuated between the peace of Christ and the peace of the world. The world understands peace as freedom to live our lives independently, free from the interference of others. These are indeed desirable things, but it is clear from the first reading that this is not the peace that Christ offers his disciples.
It is the same with freedom. The freedom the world aspires to is freedom for the ego: “I want to be free to do what I want to do when I want to do it!” What Christ offers is freedom from the ego. A freedom from domination by the ego’s desires and demands to have its own way and have what it wants.
The peace that Christ bequeaths his followers is a peace of heart and mind because they rest confidently in God. Pope Leo’s proclamations to the world that the war in Iran was illegal and that God does not back wars, resulting in a backlash from the US president, is an example of this. This is the peace we are invited to seek, this is the freedom we are to aspire to.
Fr. Ray Sanchez CP is the leader of the Oxley community and is responsible for Parish Missions and Retreats throughout Australia and NZ.