PEACE IN TRIBULATIONS

FR EMMANUEL AGHIDI C.S.Sp.

Dear friends, Jesus is very amazing in understanding contexts, countenance and moods. At the talk about his departure, he understood that the disciples became troubled. He knew nothing in this world can calm their tensions, fears and anxieties. Immediately, he tells them; “Peace I bequeath to you, my own peace I give you.” He does not end there, he goes further to describe what this is not. He says, “it is a peace that the world cannot give, this is my gift to you.” Sometimes as Christians we have shades of experiences that want to make us doubt God. Stories of death, hunger, kidnappings and wars of different forms. Jesus knows nothing on earth can bring this peace. He alone can. He does not give it the way the world gives it. His peace comes with tranquility even in chaos. It comes with certitude that our Lord reigns. Sometimes families are shaking, children disobeying, parents fighting. This is a time as Christians we need to look at Jesus to grant us His peace.

Paul was beaten in the first reading for the sake of the good news. The People taught he was dead. But he got up and continued his journey, proclaiming the risen Christ. He has experienced the peace of our Lord. Let us learn from him to trust Jesus regardless of what we go through. The world does not have the solution. Only Jesus does.

May the Lord bless His Words in our hearts. Amen.