Fr. Don's Daily Reflection - May 11, 2024
Psalm 62: “In you alone is my soul at rest. My help comes from you.”
Whether it's the harried man or woman who has spent the whole day with energetic and lovable, but very noisy little children; or someone who has been involved in an ongoing struggle for months; or someone caught in the midst of irrational war or terrorism -- “I'd just like a little peace” is the likely wish.
Peace, the word sums up the most profound desire of many a human being. Yet, in any obvious sense, it is pretty elusive. When it does break out in our world, we all know it's only a matter of days till we'll hear about another conflict.
Yet the Gospel of John has the nerve, one might almost say, to put these words on the lips of Jesus: “'Peace' is my gift to you” (14:27). If peace here is not simply some bit of airy sentiment, it must mean more than meets the eye.
The words appear in the context of a long address before the passion and death of Jesus where the victory of Jesus is also promised. His words and his resurrection are the basis of peace for the believer. That peace does not mean the end of all unpleasantness and conflict but a deep reassurance, way below the surface of agitation and hatred. It is a confidence that we will overcome, that the Risen Victor over death and all ills is with us.
It is not that Arab and Jew have become buddies or that the street gang and the police are united for the good of the neighborhood. We must certainly hope for and work for that. But what the Lord promises is more a profound sense of trust and quiet built on the certainty of God's love and its final triumph. Possibly that can live deep in our hearts despite the uncertainties and clangor of life around us.
Psalm 27: “I believe I shall see the Lord’s goodness / in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord; be strong; / be stouthearted, and wait for the Lord!”
