‘MY PEACE I GIVE TO YOU’

Tuesday of the 5th week of Easter (Acts 14:19-28; Jn 14:27-31) 

                                                            ‘MY PEACE I GIVE TO YOU’ 

At the instigation of the visiting Jews, Paul was stoned and left half dead. He regained consciousness and continue to preach the Gospel saying, ‘through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.’ It's obvious that he did not hold anything against those who stoned him, rather he saw it from the perspective of the Kingdom of God. ''I can endure all these things through the power of the one who gives me strength'' (Phil 4:13). In the Gospel of today Jesus declares, ''Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.'' What kind of peace is Christ offering us? 

From Paul we see that the peace Christ offers is stronger than any tribulations. It is a peace tested on the Cross to overcome every cross. The world rejects such peace and tells us that peace is the absence of cross. In fact, what the world offers is momentary excitement. Jesus makes peace by laying down His life.''And through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross'' (Col 1:20). Since Christ died once for all, it means that only Him can give us peace.  

  

For Paul, If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord (Rm 14:8). So the peace of Lord, which comes through the Cross and is stronger than any cross, must be received as a gift. It is a gift we receive when we receive the Lord. Thus, the peace of Jesus begins in the individual who is reconciled with God. Unless we are at peace with God, we know no peace! Jesus said to the disciples on mission, ''Whatever house you enter, first say, peace be to this house!'' (Lk 10:5). Peace comes when we receive Jesus as our savior. He is the king of Peace.

The First Fruit of The Ascension

‘If I do not go, the Advocate will not come’’ (Jn 16:7). Jesus’ ascension opened way for the Holy Spirit to come. His ascension was not a departure; He ascended but still present in the Spirit and the Eucharist. With His Ascension, humanity now has a sure reference in God. Our pleas can be heard through Jesus. Again His ascension asserts the universality of salvation!

While we are looking upwards waiting for the Holy Spirit, the Virgin is already full of the Holy Spirit. She is the Spouse of the Holy Spirit. It implies that she is already sharing in the fruits of the Ascension, which includes the universality of her motherhood. She is the Mother to all of whom Jesus is the Saviour.

Mary cannot exercise her universal motherhood if limited by time and space. So, being assumed into Heaven, she shares closely to Jesus' Ascension. Her life is closely tied to that of Jesus. Being in God, body and soul, Mary shares in extra ordinary way in the merits of Jesus’ Resurrection and Ascension. Her participation enlivens our hope that we too shall be who she is already.

Being in God, and only in God, can she exercise her universal motherhood on all the faithful. Thus, it is through the power of God that Mary can hear the prayers of her children all over the world. Her apparitions and interventions in the lives of the faithful are possible because of her insertion in the power of God as the Daughter of the Most High, Mother of the Son and Spouse of the Holy Spirit. Thus her motherly care glorifies the Lord as the Most High lifts her up in her lowliness.

Therefore, without the Ascension of Jesus, the Assumption of Mary would not be possible and would lack meaning. Jesus’ Ascension bore its first fruit in Mary. And she manifests the beauty and glory of the Ascension.

Solemnity of the Ascension
Ss Joachim & Ann, Ijegun, Lagos.
14th May, 2015