Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. We see that there is something special about the peace that Jesus gives to us. Jesus is not just giving the disciples and us a simple friendly greeting. Jesus is giving us a peace that only He can give. Jesus is giving us His abiding presence – to be always with us. Jesus also tells us at the end of the gospel of Matthew. And know that I am with you always, until the end of the world! (Mt28:20)
Our lives can sometimes be filled with anxieties and stress. Jesus understands this…Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. (Jn14:27) But is this command of Jesus enough to put us at peace? How do we regain our peace, if we seem to have lost it? For me, to regain my peace, my perspective, the best starting point is a sacramental Confession – to “clean the slate” and know that I am operating, free of guilt and sin.
Jesus gives us the sacraments, especially the Eucharist to remain with us always and to give us the grace we need to navigate our way through the trials, challenges, stresses and anxieties of life. We find peace in the Real Presence of Jesus Christ, when we receive His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity in the Holy Eucharist.
We find peace in knowing that we are living temples of God the Holy Spirit, our Advocate and Comforter – guiding our thoughts, words and actions always.
Can you think of a time in your life that you felt the presence of Jesus and knew it?…perhaps at Mass or at Eucharistic Adoration or after Confession or maybe through a caring and compassionate family member or friend… These are some of the ways we can know and experience the presence of Jesus Christ in our lives.
In Jn15:5, Jesus says: He who abides in me, and I in him, bears much fruit, for without me you can do nothing.
May the Risen Christ bless us always! Deacon Mike