(Audio)
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
Not as the world gives do I give it to you.
Peace is meant to mark our lives as disciples. Does it? When circumstances are bad and storms rage what happens to our peace? We do tend to lose it, don't we? Peace as the world gives it is something beyond our control. It does come and go. In contrast, the peace of Jesus need not ebb or flow with circumstance. But we must choose it. We must set our minds and keep them set (see Colossians 3:2) or the world will convince us that we should indulge in the anxious thoughts that come to us.
Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.
Having peace is all about choosing to live the gift using the gift God has given us. We choose to think that our hearts are not troubled, that we are not afraid, and that we have peace beyond all understanding.
do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (see Philippians 4:6-7).
We need peace so that we can do and rejoice in the will of the Father even when the ruler of this world afflicts us. We can be like Jesus whose bond of love with the Father is so strong that nothing can interfere with it. He knows he is loved. He can't help but love in turn. It is this love of God that is the source of our peace, and through peace, our freedom.
for the ruler of the world is coming.
He has no power over me,
but the world must know that I love the Father
The peace of Christ is mentioned each mass to remind us that this peace is not just for the select few special saints of history but for each and every Christian. It is not just for our benefit but so that the door of faith might be opened to more and more people that we need to ground ourselves in this peace which God never ceases to freely bestow.
Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
and let your faithful ones bless you.
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