Daily Reflection for Tuesday, May 04, 2021
Peace and Blessings, Friends and Parishioners,
We encourage you to reflect on Tuesday’s readings at this link:
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/050421.cfm
If you prefer to use your own Bible, the readings are:
First Reading: Acts 14:19-28
Responsorial: Psalm 145:10-11, 12-13ab, 21
Gospel: John 14:27-31a
Our reflection on Tuesday’s readings:
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you." John 14:27
I have taken up hiking and have hiked more than five hundred miles in the woods since November. Hiking in the woods helps me feel peaceful and more vital. I have tried to recruit some of my friends to join, and one of them retorted, "Roots and rocks, no way." They are correct; there are lots of roots and rocks and other things to trip on in the woods. My joke is what my eyes don't see, my toes do, and I trip. There are beautiful birds and wildflowers and trees to see, but I sometimes trip when I take my eyes off the hiking path.
Jesus' message in today's Gospel reading is a blessing of peace and is heartwarming, but it also contains a rock that I have tripped on.
Jesus tells his disciples that he is leaving soon but that he is leaving behind his peace. Jesus explains that his peace is not the absence of conflict, but his peace is real peace. I am grateful for the peace that Jesus gives us. I try to focus on the light of Christ, and while I bask in the peace of the Lord, I also hear Jesus tell us that he will not speak to us much when he goes to be with his Father, and he warns us that the ruler of the world is coming. He is referring to the devil. Roots and rocks. Jesus continues: “He has no power over me...”
So, what about us disciples? Our consolation comes from the peace he left with us. We may trip and fall in this world, but the peace and love of Christ is with us.
Lord, help us not to trip in this world and to walk in your beautiful peace.
Peace and blessings,
Deacon John McShea