If you’ve ever heard my vocation story, you have likely heard me say the name “Pope John Paul II.” This is not accidental, as he is a very powerful reason that I chose to pursue my vocation to the priesthood. What was it about this man that influenced my vocation? It was when he visited Saint Louis back in 1999. Even when I was very little, only being five at the time, something struck me about this man. There was such a peace and such a fortitude about him that it has been hard to articulate in my younger years. You should bear in mind, when I saw him, I was only five years old, and I was in a dome in Saint Louis, filled with thousands of other people! It wasn’t as if I had a one on one with him, but I could tell, even from rows and rows away- this man had something special- and I wanted that.
Peace- it is something that we are all seeking, isn’t it? It can be on a large scale, perhaps seeking the lofty goal of world peace. Perhaps it is in our country. Maybe just in our family. Even something as local as within our soul. It is something that we are seeking all the time, and yet, it can seem that, in our day and age, it can be something that feels altogether more elusive. How have the saints of long ago found peace? How have saints in our modern time found it? Is it possible that we can also find that same peace?
Starting off with the first reading for this Sunday, we are continuing our journey through the Acts of the Apostles. This particular story is actually an intriguing one because it tells a story of conflict and division. In those early times after Christ had risen, and the Church had begun her work, there were questions, especially emerging from the adoption of Jewish practices, and whether or not they were to apply to the Christians who were there at the time. Some points remained, and some were contentious, and therefore caused dissention and debate. So, the story that we hear is one of conflict and resolution. At the beginning, there is conflict and chaos. There are teachings that are causing a loss of peace in the early Christian community at the time. So, what is the end result? How are they going to resolve these issues?
While some might say that Paul and Barnabas were sent to control the situation, that is to actually miss the point of what is going on. Towards the end of the passage, we are told “It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us not to place on you any burden.” It wasn’t Paul or Barnabas fixing any sort of issue, but it was rather the Holy Spirit being called to heal division and woundedness within that community! This is important, as it recognizes the need that the apostles and the early Christian community had for the influence of the Holy Spirit to help them to heal conflict and to come into unity with one another!
The second reading continues the tract that we have been taking from the book of Revelation. We are thus in John’s vision of the apocalypse, and we are given a particular insight into what is called the “heavenly Jerusalem.” This is not any earthly city, as can be attested to by the descriptions of what is found there. Stone, crystal, Jasper, angels, the twelve tribes. This is clearly not just the city of Jerusalem, but the renewed city of the heavenly Jerusalem! It’s not about an earthly location, but one that we are to aspire for. This is made evident because of the way that John is writing. He gives us such vivid imagery that we can all but help to desire to go to this city- with it’s precious stones, with the crystal, with all of the beauty, and the glory that God gives the entire city by His own light! This truly must be a sight for all to behold!
Finally, we arrive at the Gospel. Since the Church’s liturgical calendar is fast approaching the Ascension, we are now in what is called the “farewell dialogue.” Jesus is preparing his disciples for the fact that He will not be with them in the same way very much longer. He is going away- and yet, He is going to be present to them in some strange way! He promises to send who He calls the “Advocate” or the Holy Spirit as we most commonly refer to Him. He wants to reassure the disciples of the fact that, even as He prepares to leave them, it is not that they are left truly alone! They will have God’s presence in their midst through that Spirit. Yet, it isn’t enough to simply leave it at that, because Jesus doubles down as to the meaning of this presence. The Spirit will be there to teach and to remind, but then Jesus goes directly into something that may seem a bit unrelated: “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.”
How many of us read that line “do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid” and instantly, your heart was filled with desire for a heart that is free of trouble and fear? How many of us, when we stop and truly reflect on what Jesus is saying desire that same message that He is giving to those disciples present that day? When we hear about Jesus speaking of peace that He is leaving to us and giving to us- how many of us truly desire that peace?
The sad reality that so many of us face, my brothers and sisters, is that we live in a world full of what seems to be offerings of peace. Often, we are told that having this or that, or perhaps that dream car and dream job, or that dream family will give us that true sense of peace and security? How many of us have gone after the latest technology in pursuit of that life that is free of stress, only to find ourselves more stressed and restless than before? With everything we have at our disposal, why can we not find peace within ourselves, within our homes, or even within our world?
Perhaps there is more to the story. It truly is not enough to think of the absence of war as the definition of peace. It is not even enough to make the presence of peace equate to the absence of stress in our own mind! That is what John Paul II made so evident, and I daresay made him so attractive to me, even at a very young age. He had something this entire world desires! Lasting peace! Where do we get it though? He was one of the first to admit, it had nothing to do with his own power or ability- but it had everything to do with prayer. If we go back to the first reading, the book of Acts reminds us that peace is not something that is made by us, not by disciples, not even by clergy- it is only granted by Christ and our desire to surrender to that peace! Even the book of Revelation tells us of a place of peace- the kingdom of God- and yet we are so far away!
What are we to do here and now, even before we reach the heavenly Jerusalem? First, we must put away everything that appears to offer peace, but in reality steals it in the long run. The latest fads. The latest tech. Having every material possession your heart desires. Even popularity, or perhaps even vice. Those things say they offer peace- but the reality is that they only take it away. Rather, we should be aware of Jesus’ presence in our midst- especially through the Advocate. He is the one that will remind us of that peace- and the need to be not troubled nor afraid!
That gives us the challenge for this week: brothers and sisters, I daresay that all of us have our areas in our life where we want peace or we want that feeling of serenity and security. Perhaps in your family. Maybe at times with your children or your spouse. Perhaps with situations that seem impossible or out of control. You name it- there are all sorts of things that threaten peace. Yet, what happens when we surrender to Christ, and let the Holy Spirit within our hearts? That is where everything changes- and we experience that peace that the world does not give, but only Christ can provide. John Paul II possessed it within his soul, and it is something that is no less accessible to us than it was then, or even before. Where are you the most strained, and what takes away your peace? These are the places that we need to hear the words of Christ.
Truly: peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you.” Let us not be troubled nor afraid- Jesus is with us.
