Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Easter
Acts 14:19–28; Psalm 145; John 14:27–31a
The world speaks of peace.
But its peace is often built on fear.
It calls armies peace. It calls weapons safety. It calls domination order.
The empires always said the same: Submit, and you will have peace.
But the peace of Christ is not like this.
It does not march with iron. It does not rise on corpses. It does not silence enemies by making graves for them.
The peace of the world comes from crushing.
The peace of Christ comes from loving.
Paul knew this peace.
He was stoned. He was dragged out of the city. He was left for dead.
Yet he rose, not to take revenge, but to continue the work.
He did not return with soldiers. He did not gather a mob. He did not call down violence on those who wounded him.
He rose, and he went on.
This is the peace of Christ: not the power to destroy, but the strength to remain faithful.
Before going to the cross, Jesus says:
“My peace I give to you.”
Not the peace of Caesar. Not the peace of fear. Not the peace that hangs on swords.
His peace.
And when He rose and stood among His disciples, He said again:
Peace be with you.
They had locked the doors. Fear had entered before Him. Their hearts were already under siege.
And into that fear He spoke peace.
Not because the danger was gone. Not because the enemies had vanished. But because He was there.
Paul too had once lived without this peace.
He carried zeal, but not peace. He carried fury, but not peace.
But when Christ seized him, and the Spirit filled him, another life entered him.
Then prison could not steal it. Threats could not silence it. Uncertainty could not crush it.
So Paul would speak of the peace of God that surpasses all understanding.
And how could it be otherwise?
For this peace does not come from circumstances.
It comes from communion.
It is born not when the storm is gone, but when Christ is present in the middle of it.
That is why no words can fully express such peace.
And yet we still try.
Peace is not when the stronger wins.
Peace is not when others are silenced.
Peace is not when fear keeps everyone in place.
Peace is when love remains.
Peace is when faith does not collapse.
Peace is when Christ is still obeyed even in pain.
Peace is not the silence of the defeated.
Peace is the presence of Christ.
And where Christ dwells, peace cannot die.
Scripture Attribution
New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993
the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of
Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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