TUESDAY OF THE FIFTH WEEK OF EASTER - Gospel (John 14:27-31a) - THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” (Jn 14:27)

FIRST READING - Acts 14:19-28

A reading from the Book of the Acts of the Apostles

In those days, some Jews from Antioch and Iconium

arrived and won over the crowds.

They stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city,

supposing that he was dead.

But when the disciples gathered around him,

he got up and entered the city.

On the following day he left with Barnabas for Derbe.

After they had proclaimed the good news to that city

and made a considerable number of disciples,

they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch.

They strengthened the spirits of the disciples

and exhorted them to persevere in the faith, saying,

"It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships

to enter the Kingdom of God."

They appointed presbyters for them in each Church and,

with prayer and fasting, commended them to the Lord

in whom they had put their faith.

Then they traveled through Pisidia and reached Pamphylia.

After proclaiming the word at Perga they went down to Attalia.

From there they sailed to Antioch,

where they had been commended to the grace of God

for the work they had now accomplished.

And when they arrived, they called the Church together

and reported what God had done with them

and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.

Then they spent no little time with the disciples.

GOSPEL OF THE DAY - Jn 14:27-31a

From the Gospel according to John

Jesus said to his disciples:

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.

Not as the world gives do I give it to you.

Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.

You heard me tell you,

'I am going away and I will come back to you.'

If you loved me,

you would rejoice that I am going to the Father;

for the Father is greater than I.

And now I have told you this before it happens,

so that when it happens you may believe.

I will no longer speak much with you,

for the ruler of the world is coming.

He has no power over me,

but the world must know that I love the Father

and that I do just as the Father has commanded me."

TUESDAY OF THE FIFTH WEEK OF EASTER - Gospel (John 14:27-31a)

THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

Dear People of God,

Before Jesus Christ went up to Jerusalem to die, He comforted His disciples: "Peace I give to you. Remain in my peace." 'Do not let your hearts be troubled. Have faith in God; have faith also in me.'

Jesus always loved His disciples. He continually accompanied them, guided them, and showed them the way to walk in the path of light and truth to fight against Satan. He knew that after He returned to God the Father, Satan would continue to harass His disciples by using those around them to cause division, opposition, and attempts to destroy their faith in their Holy Teacher.

Satan also stirred up many storms when the disciples went out to preach the Word of God, proclaiming Jesus Christ, who was crucified and resurrected to save humanity. Therefore, the Lord instructed His disciples:

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled."The peace God gives is having God within you.

-Trust in God, because He has absolute power—He can do all things. He will protect and defend His people from the great waves and strong winds. He will give courage to help His disciples face challenges.

-God always loves all people and constantly invites them to come to Him, because with God, there is peace.

-Trust in Him and entrust everything to Him. He will help in times of suffering and in difficulties caused by the world. When God gives peace, it does not mean people will be free from suffering. Not so!

When He gives peace, He also gives strength—it means having God in your heart to help you face difficulties, hardships, and challenges.

Just as Jesus Christ, through the power and strength of God the Father—and through His obedience to the Father—defeated Satan.

Now, His children, obey God and remain in His love, and you will also have God's strength to help you fight and endure the sufferings brought on by the world.

If you live by what God teaches, you will have peace in the love of God the Father.

Thanks be to God. Amen.