Word to the Wise
Tuesday, April 30, 2024 - 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. You heard me tell you, 'I am going away and I will come back to you.' If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe. [John]
APRIL 30 ST. PIUS V (OP), pope
At every celebration of the Eucharist, we hear the opening words of the passage quoted above from today's gospel scripture after the Agnus Dei: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you." This is followed by the invitation to show a "sign" of peace among those attending. Although the gesture seems despised by those opposed to the liturgical reforms of the Second Vatican Council, it is not meant to be a mere formality or ritual gesture. The gift that Jesus gives is meant to be shared. Communion is not only the reception of the Eucharist, it is the sharing of faith and love of neighbor. Jesus' peace is the peace of confidence in God's care and the subsequent sending of the Holy Spirit. It is not related to the absence of war or violence or suffering but rather is related to the hope we can have in the midst of those.
The statement, "for the Father is greater than I," was interpreted by the Arian heresy as meaning that Jesus was lesser than his Father and therefore not divine. But the statement is related to the idea that the messenger is not greater than the one who sends him. [John 13:16]. The Father will "glorify" Jesus and this gift is, in turn, given to the disciples and those who believe in Jesus as the One whom God has sent. Jesus tells these things to the disciples (and to us) so that we may believe and have peace. AMEN