Peace In Pain

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/042616.cfm) reminds me that God gives us peace that works amidst pain. 

They say peace is not the opposite of war. And peace is not just the absence of war. It is more than that. There may be no war but there is also no peace among people. And in the gospel, we see Jesus give peace to the disciples. Peace that transcends war and suffering. Peace that enables them to continue, to move forward despite war, challenges and pain. 

God's peace enables us to be focused and calm amidst pain and challenges. 

Still in the gospel, Jesus tells them that the ruler of this world is coming. Yes, Jesus is not the ruler of this world. He also said this when he was arrested, when he told Pilate that his kingdom is not on this earth. If it were, he would not suffer and die as he did. He ruler of this world is the evil one, that's why there are a lot of evil and injustice in this world. That is why Jesus told his disciples to be in this world, but not of this world. Therefore, the ruler of this world has power over the world. 

We see this in the first reading. The disciples experienced persecutions. Paul was almost stoned to death. Because the evil one has power in this world. And they know this. The disciples know they will experience hardships and sufferings, but they should not give up. They do not give up because they have Christ's peace that enables them to keep on working for God's kingdom in spite of all the opposition and challenges. 

We too may have been experiencing pain and challenges as we do God's work. As we try to live right. Evil people are prospering. Dishonest people are rewarded with earthly wealth. But we should always take God's peace and just focus on him, on doing what he wants from us. And we will eventually be rewarded. 

May we take in and use God's divine peace amidst all the challenges and pain in this world. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to love and serve you. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I let the world win over me. Sorry for being stressed and overwhelmed by this world. Help me remember that your peace is in me. That your peace is more powerful than the powers of the world. May I continue to live right, to live pleasing to you despite of everything. Amen. 

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

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April 26, 2016
Tuesday of Fifth Week of Easter
Lectionary: 286

Reading 1 Acts 14:19-28

In those days, some Jews from Antioch and Iconium
arrived and won over the crowds.
They stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city,
supposing that he was dead.
But when the disciples gathered around him,
he got up and entered the city.
On the following day he left with Barnabas for Derbe.

After they had proclaimed the good news to that city
and made a considerable number of disciples,
they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch.
They strengthened the spirits of the disciples
and exhorted them to persevere in the faith, saying,
“It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships
to enter the Kingdom of God.”
They appointed presbyters for them in each Church and,
with prayer and fasting, commended them to the Lord
in whom they had put their faith.
Then they traveled through Pisidia and reached Pamphylia.
After proclaiming the word at Perga they went down to Attalia.
From there they sailed to Antioch,
where they had been commended to the grace of God
for the work they had now accomplished.
And when they arrived, they called the Church together
and reported what God had done with them
and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.
Then they spent no little time with the disciples.

Responsorial Psalm PS 145:10-11, 12-13ab, 21

R. (see 12) Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your kingdom
and speak of your might.
R. Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Making known to men your might
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
Your kingdom is a kingdom for all ages,
and your dominion endures through all generations.
R. Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
or:
R. Alleluia.
May my mouth speak the praise of the LORD,
and may all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever.
R. Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Alleluia See Lk 24:46, 26

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Christ had to suffer and to rise from the dead,
and so enter into his glory.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Jn 14:27-31a

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.
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;
for the Father is greater than I.
And now I have told you this before it happens,
so that when it happens you may believe.
I will no longer speak much with you,
for the ruler of the world is coming.
He has no power over me,
but the world must know that I love the Father
and that I do just as the Father has commanded me.”