Tuesday of Fifth Week of Easter
Jesus’ Peace and Suffering
“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.” (John 14:27)
The peace that Jesus gives is unlike anything in the world. It is not the calm that depends on circumstances. It is not the ease that comes from leisure or distraction. Jesus’ peace is deep, lasting, and dependable, because it is rooted in Him. Trusting that we are upheld by the love of Jesus, we can endure uncertainty, trials, and suffering with peace.
Jesus’ peace transforms our struggles from pointless to purposeful. Any kind of suffering can be purposeful by identifying it spiritually with Jesus’ sufferings and those of other disciples. Our suffering can even be considered a participation in Jesus’ sufferings. And if Jesus’ sufferings are redemptive, then surely ours are as well. (See Pope John Paul II, “On the Christian Meaning of Human Suffering,” 1984, Vatican link)
For the Journey:
Meditate on and pray with these verses having to do with Christian peace and suffering:
- John 14:27: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you…”
- Colossians 3:15: “And let the peace of Christ control your hearts…”
- Colossians 1:24: “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake…”
- 1 Peter 4:16: “But whoever is made to suffer as a Christian should not be ashamed…”
Reflection by Br. Luke Kral, OSB
Posted in Article for Easter, Daily Reflections