The Word of God
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. You heard me say to you, "I am going away, and I am coming to you." If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe. I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over me; but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us be on our way.
John 14:27-31
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Jesus’s farewell discourse to his disciples includes a gift of peace. ‘Peace!’ (Shalom) is the normal Jewish greeting and farewell and Jesus uses it when he appears to his disciples after the Resurrection. Originally it meant soundness of body but it came to signify perfect happiness and the liberation that the Messiah was expected to bring. This wholeness is the aim of Jesus’ mission.
- But it is not the peace as the ‘world’ understands it. Peace for Jesus is not simply the absence of violence. It is something much more positive, much deeper. Paradoxically, it can exist side by side with times of great turmoil. It is something internal, not external. It comes from an inner sense of security, of a conviction that God is with us and in us and that we are in the right place. It is something that not even the threat of death can take away.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Again, I imagine Jesus sitting with me here where I am at the moment. I see him looking at me with love and I hear him saying to me “I am giving you my peace”. How do I feel? I sit with Jesus for a while, allowing these words to sink into my heart.
- Where in my life do I need the peace of Jesus at the moment? Perhaps it’s in a relationship, or in my work, or just in my own heart, peace with myself. Can I talk honestly now to Jesus about my need for peace, asking him to let his peace touch me where I most need it?
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Once again, these are extraordinary and moving words. Jesus speaks of peace and comforts his friends, hours before he is arrested and his violent and cruel passion begins. Jesus, a political criminal, will be a victim of the pax Romana. This is the 'peace' of the Roman Empire, maintaining law and order. The peace Jesus brings is nothing like this …
- Jesus' heart too will be 'troubled', during his moment of anguish, in the garden. But for now, he is the one urging confidence and hope. There is even some humour: 'if you loved me you would have been glad …'. Once again, we are hearing these words in Easter time, knowing that Jesus' trust in the Father was fulfilled.
- 'You heard me say: I am going away and I shall return'. We are reminded of the lovely image of Jesus, the servant, going ahead of us to prepare our rooms, and returning to bring us when they are ready.
- 'The prince of the world' is on his way; the darkness which seeks to extinguish the Light. But the Light is stronger: 'he has no power over me'.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Jesus speaks from the depths of his heart to his dearest friends. He is facing into his Passion. He wants his friends to know that he is with them, his father is with them. Jesus’ farewell wish is ‘Peace!’ His gift of peace is not a state, but a relationship. It is the fruit of deeply abiding in him. This relationship will never fail. It will enable the disciples to endure suffering and rejection.
- The peace that Jesus gives is available to me; I have to do nothing to receive it. But maybe that’s the problem – I want to do something to earn what Jesus offers as a free gift. Lord, help me to do nothing in this time of prayer but to be ready to receive what you offer.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- There is a certain peace and joy that comes from knowing and loving God directly, that nothing else can give. Once we know God as source of being, we love all of creation as expressions of this love and goodness. Creation, including all our beloved, are not rivals for God’s love but expressions of God’s love.
- If you love someone you would want the greatest good of all for them, which is that they would know the peace that surpasses all understanding - a peace the world cannot give on its own - a peace that comes only from knowing and loving God and God’s presence in creation.
- I thank you Lord for your being, and the miracle of your presence in my life.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Lord, I need your gift of peace! So often I find myself unsure, anxious, worried, angry. Talk to me about how you coped when things were out of control in your life, especially at the end. What kept you going? You seem to have had such a deep sense that your Father was with you, and that he was asking you to reveal the limitless scope of divine love for the world.
- Help me always to rise from prayer with renewed trust in you as I face the things you want done. May I always act out of love.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- The peace that Jesus gives is available to me; I have to do nothing to receive it. But maybe that’s the problem – I want to do something to earn what Jesus offers as a free gift. Lord, help me to do nothing in this time of prayer but to be ready to receive what you offer.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Jesus’ farewell wish is ‘Peace!’ His gift of peace is not a state, but a relationship. It is the fruit of deeply abiding in him. This relationship will never fail. It will enable the disciples to endure suffering and rejection.
- Lord, may the prayer of the Sacred Space community shape us to be instruments of your peace in a divided world. As I emerge from prayer each day, may I be more peace-filled than when I began.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Throughout the Old and New Testament there are echoes of the words ‘Do not be afraid’ and ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled.’ The evil forces of this world have no power over Jesus, and need have no power over us as his disciples. That is why we need not be afraid.
- Do I rejoice in the peace which Jesus gives me? Love changes everything, and my troubles and fears are to be put in their place within the limitless love which God has for me. This is the peace Jesus offers, not a life free of challenges or suffering.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- The peace that Jesus promises is not an escape from trouble - the peace that the world gives - but rather the courage to face it calmly. As he spoke these words of peace, he was walking out to Gethsemane and his passion.
- Lord, that is the peace I seek: to be able to face sorrow and pain without the overwhelming fear that all is lost.
- At one of Jesus' most frightening moments he encourages his friends not to be troubled or fearful. A big message that God gives to us is not to fear. God knows that we are easily made fearful, anxious and troubled. At that moment God walks with us, hand in hand, with deep care, wanting us to be safe. Even when in fear or anxiety, we are safe because we belong to God. In that is our peace.
- Peace can exist in the heart at times of great turmoil and trouble, pain and illness. The peace of Christ sort of invades us gently and fills the spaces of our personality which are open to peace and often need peace. It is the peace of healing and forgiveness, and the peace which comes from doing what we know to be our calling. Sometimes, even within the toughest times of life, we can sense this peace of Jesus.
- I repeat Jesus' promise, making it my prayer for today, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you." I quietly review my life, seeing what has helped my peace, recognising what is broken it down. I think of what I need to do to preserve this gift of peace that Jesus has in heart for me.
- The troubles that concern me sometimes seems so heavy. Jesus does not just want to take them away but wants to give me instead his gift of peace and of trust. Even as I bring my troubles before the Lord I hear Jesus speak to me saying, ‘Peace, rise, let us be on our way."
- I may not recognise the peace that Jesus gives immediately; it is not like the peace that the world gives and a troubled or fearful heart may miss the blessing. I take some time to dive deeper, beneath the surface concerns of my life, to acknowledge the peace about which Jesus speaks.
- Jesus blesses me with his peace. It makes me feel reassured and secure. The peace that Jesus gives, however, is followed by an invitation to get up and go.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- The peace that Jesus promises is not an escape from trouble – the peace that the world gives - but rather the courage to face it calmly. As he spoke these words of peace, he was walking out to Gethsemane and his passion.
- Lord, that is the peace I seek: to be able to face sorrow and pain without the overwhelming fear that all is lost.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not them be afraid. We can feel the affection and deep care Jesus has for his friends as he approaches the great crisis of his arrest, passion and crucifixion. He himself is anxious and stressed, but he does his best to encourage his friends to be strong in times of trouble. I hear his soothing and caring words addressed to me, as I share my troubles and fears with him.
- Jesus promises peace, a peace that the world cannot give. We all yearn for inner peace, for peace in our families and in our communities. We are shocked at wars that seem never-ending, where no one seems willing to seek peace. I ask Jesus for the peace he offers me, I ask for the grace to be like him, bringing peace wherever I am.