Word to the Wise
Tuesday, April 30, 2013 - 5th Week of Easter - Tues
[Acts 14:19-28 and John 14:27-31a]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......
ST. PIUS V, Dominican friar and pope - 1566-1572 [Scriptures may vary at Dominican locations.]
After reading in the scripture from the Acts of the Apostles today that Paul was stoned, dragged out of the city and left for dead, we encounter Jesus' statement about leaving us "Peace!" And he also tells us not to be afraid! How is this possible? Religious faith seems to give rise to terrible violence at times! This is one of the main arguments of some atheists against any faith in God! Would that all faiths could live together in peace!
Later on in today's passage from Acts, Paul reminds the community that preaching the gospel will bring hardship. It is a great gift to be able to persevere in working for peace and justice with a sense of serenity and confidence that God's work is being done and that God's providence will prevail no matter what happens to us from those who oppose the work! People like Archbishop Romero or Dorothy Day are shining examples, but I have personal friends who also bear witness to me in this way. The Lord gives a peace that the "world" cannot give us, but it is nice to see "skin" on that peace! AMEN