A reading from the holy 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.”
Jesus tells the disciples he is going away to the Father and that he will come back to them. For this, Jesus says, the disciples should rejoice if they love him. Preparing them for his ascension into heaven, Jesus tells the disciples that its time approaches. He says that he will no longer speak much with them because the ruler of the world, Satan, is coming. “He has no power over me,” Jesus says, “but the world must know that I love the Father and that I do just as the Father has commanded me.” In telling the disciples that he is going away but that he will come back to them, Jesus reassures them that he has conquered Satan and that out of love he does his Father’s will by returning to him. The peace he leaves his disciples with is not as the world gives but the peace of his Father in heaven, whose power extends to all who believe in Jesus.
God, help me understand today’s Gospel. I place the words and events in time and space as I reflect on them, yet the peace that Jesus offers to the disciples, he offers to me. It is peace not as the world gives but comes from you, who are outside of time and space. Just as Satan has no power over your Son, who does your will, he has no power over me as long as I remain in your peace and do your will. The ruler of the world, Satan, comes every day on this earth, dividing individuals, families, and communities. Help me today, Lord, by remaining in me as I strive to remain in you, where Satan has no power.
Prince of Peace, give me the grace to know and do your will today and always.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.