6th Sunday of Easter

Jn 14:23-29: “My peace I give to you”

Brothers & sisters,
Happy Easter! Has anyone forgotten that we are still in the season of Easter? I think the Church is teaching us something by the length of the liturgical seasons, as Easter is longer than Lent by 10 days! The Church wants us to rejoice, and be an Easter people.
Today, the Lord says in the Gospel: “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.”
Isn’t this a beautiful message? My peace I give you. Wouldn't you like to receive the Lord’s peace? What characteristics do you think his peace has? “Don’t let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” Wouldn’t it be nice if our hearts weren’t troubled?
In this same message, delivered to the disciples just hours before the beginning of his passion, the Lord tells his friends that he will leave them to go to his Father. But we should rejoice, because as we know, this is the path that will lead to his resurrection and ultimately to him sending his Holy Spirit. The Lord wants to come make a dwelling in us, bringing us the love and peace that he experiences, together with the Father and the Spirit.
We are an “Easter people,” a “Resurrection people.” Most certainly we live in a world filled with distress and difficulty. But the Lord comes to assure us that he is with us always, and is always there to bring us his peace.
Let us open ourselves to receive him, and continue to rejoice, for he is alive. Alleluia!
Patrick