6th Sunday of Easter(Cycle C, Year I)
Community Word: Followers of the Risen Christ faithfully live His word.
Theme: We are faithful to Christ’s word when we share the peace of God.
Promise: “The advocate, the Holy Spirit … will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.” (Jn 14:26)
Reflection:
Our theme for this week is – We are faithful to Christ’s word when we share the peace of God. What does “peace of God” mean and who receives such peace?
Most of St. Paul’s letters begin with the words, “grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”In his letter to the Philippians, he refers to “the peace of God which transcends all understanding,” (Phil 4:7). Peace is the state of tranquility or quietness of spirit that goes beyond or above any circumstances. Peace is a gift from God and in harmony with God’s character (cf. 1 Thes 5:23, Gal 6:16, 1Pt 1:2, Heb 13:20). If God is peace then to know God is to delight in His peace. The closer we draw to Him, the more we can enjoy of His peace (cfJa 4:8). God gives us clear instructions about how to draw near to Him. In Psalms it says, “Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in His holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god,”(Ps 24: 3-4).
Scriptures is also clear that we cannot make ourselves clean or pure enough to earn the presence of the Lord (cf 3:10,23). So, how do we go to God to experience His peace? Jesus provides the answer in this Sunday’s gospel when He says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid,” (Jn 14:27). We receive the peace of God through His Son (Jn 14:6). When we accept forgiveness of our sins through Christ’s death and resurrection we are counted as righteous, and only then can we have peace with God (cf. Ro 4:5, 5:1; Jn 4:10).
The initial peace that comes from having our conscience purified grows as we get to know God more and more (cf. Heb 10:22). From the letter of St. Peter, it says, “May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord,”(2 Pt 1:2). When we grow in understanding of the depths and riches of God’s love toward us, our minds and spirits begin to rest in His power and wisdom (cf. Ep 3:18-19, Ro 8:38-39). We begin to understand that He will make all things work together for our good (Ro 8:38). We learn that His purpose will be accomplished (Ps 33:11, Pv 19:21, Isa 45:9, 46:9-11).
When we develop a way of life that makes the Lord our refuge, we begin to live in the peace of God (cf Ps 46:1, 62:8). Psalm 91:1 holds the secret to living in the peace of God – “He that dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.”
With whom shall we share the peace of God? He who loves Christ is to be like Him, a good shepherd. He who is loved and forgiven, held up that he might not fall, restored after he might have fallen, must be to others what Christ is to him. He too should feed men with spiritual truths, guiding and caring for the weak ones with gentleness, and sharing the peace of God with them. The main work of every true follower of Christ is to win back the erring, the wounded, the last, the least and the lost. Christ is not leaving us alone in what He is asking us to do. He gave us the Holy Spirit who stands beside us day and night, guiding us and making all things clear. For this is His promise: “The advocate, the Holy Spirit … will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you,” (Jn 14:26). If we follow, the Spirit will lead us to the Truth. If we obey, the Spirit will lead us to life.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ, we praise You. Bring peace into the world by bringing Your peace into the hearts of all. Help us to turn away from every sin and to follow You in love and service. Glory and honor be yours, forever and ever. Amen.
Reflection Guide Questions:
1. Share your recent experience when you became an instrument of peace and what inspired you to do so.
2. How can you promote unity and teamwork within your Ministry and the Community?
This Week’s Daily Mass Reading Guide:
May 26, 2019 (Sun)-Acts 15:1, 2, 22-29/Ps 67:2, 3, 5, 6, 8/Rv 21:10-14, 22-23/Jn 14:23-29
May 27, 2019 (Mon)-Acts 16:11-15/Ps 149:1-6, 9/Jn 15:26-16:4
May 28, 2019 (Tue)-Acts 16:22-34/Ps 138:1-3, 7, 8/Jn 16:5-11
May 29, 2019 (Wed)-Acts 17:15, 22-18:1/Ps 148:1, 2, 11-14/Jn 16:12-15
May 30, 2019 (Thu)-Acts 18:1-8/Ps 98:1-4/Jn 16:16-20
May 31, 2019 (Fri)-Zep 3:14-18/Is 12:3-6/Lk 1:39-56
June 1, 2019 (Sat)-Acts 18:23-28/Ps 47:2, 3, 8-10/Jn 16:23-28
“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ. Read your Bible daily!”
