The Peace of Christ

HOMILY: Sixth Sunday of Easter

John 14:23-29

22 May 2022

Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez, AA 

“Masa” ka ba?  Tipong masandal lang, tulog agad? I have a friend who falls asleep so easily, waiting for hours is no bother to him. He finds a comfortable spot, leans his back and he is out like a light. Hindi siya namamahay pag may out of town at hindi siya nakakatulog sa sarili niyang kama. He has missed his stop a few times when riding the bus because he has happily transported himself to dreamland. Someone once asked him, “Bro, di ka ba natatakot pagnakakatulog ka na mag-isa ka lang tapos public place? Baka manakawan ka habang tulog ka! His answer surprised us. Sabi niya, “Malaki ang tiwala ko sa Panginoon na hindi Niya ako pababayaan. Hindi ako natatakot kahit ano ang mangyari, panatag akong nariyan lamang ang Diyos sa aking tabi. 

In the gospel passage from John, Jesus who is preparing to leave encourages His disciples by saying: “Do not let your hearts be troubled [nor] afraid.” He promises them that He will continue to be present in their midst. He does not leave them empty-handed though. He leaves them a farewell gift: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.”  

Shalom, the gift of peace! The biblical concept of peace is derived from the Hebrew concept of peace, which is “shalom”. The Hebrew concept of “shalom” goes beyond the common understanding of peace, which is the cessation of hostilities. Rather, “shalom” is understood to mean “wholeness, completeness, soundness, health, safety and prosperity, carrying with it the implication of permanence.” The peace Christ offers is not the absence of strife or contention in fact the one who promises it is the One who Himself had to face humiliation and crucifixion. This peace is the fruit of the Holy Spirit (The Advocate) dwelling within us who guides, accompanies and empowers us to rise above all of life’s adversities. And because we have received the Holy Spirit, it is possible for us not to be “troubled nor afraid.”  

Maraming natatakot sa kahihinatnan ng Pilipinas. Sa ngayon andiyan ang panganib ng bagong variants ng COVID, monkeypox, pagtaas ng presyo ng pagkain at gasolina, etc… Siyempre sa kakatapos na eleksyon, nag-aalala ang mga tao kung ang mga nanalo ay tutupad sa kanilang pangako at gagampanan nila ng husto ang kanilang tungkulin.  Sa buong kamunduhan, madami na ang apektado ng giyera sa Russia at Ukraine. Pero pinaaalalahananan tayo ni Hesus na habang tayo ay nananatili si Kanya, wala tayong dapat ikabahala. 

As I mentioned earlier, this same peace is the farewell gift of Jesus to His disciples just before they would experience the painful reality of His passion and death. This gift of peace is not a simple well-wish. This peace is a blessing that includes all the benefits of the risen life that all His followers will receive in Him. This gift of peace is Jesus’ promise of His “presence.” Note that this  same Jewish greeting and farewell is also how Jesus greets His disciples each time he appears to them after the Resurrection. Jesus offers His disciples an inner sense of security borne out of a conviction that God is with them and in them. This gift of peace is something which not even the threat of death can take away from them. The truth is that many of these witnesses were martyred, subjected to terrible suffering and a brutal death for the faith. It is an assurance from Jesus that He is simply there; He is present in the stresses and strains of daily life. Such is the power of the Lord’s resurrection. The peace Jesus bestows is a peace He has won by overcoming sin and death. It is proof that Jesus is greater than evil at work in the world. It is a peace in which we can rest even while in the throes of life’s struggles. 

Our future is unknown, and that may be unsettling, but we are assured by Jesus’ abiding presence among us through the Holy Spirit. If we open ourselves and allow ourselves to truly experience God’s presence, then our hearts can be nourished by the gift of peace – His peace – that only Jesus can offer. Brothers and sisters, let us walk in the peace of Christ. Let this gift of peace be with us always! Let the peace of Christ encourage us… strengthen and empower us to persevere through all of life’s uncertainties.