+We hear again this morning from the Last Supper discourse in John’s gospel. Jesus tells his disciples that he leaves his peace with them but it is not the peace of this world. This was clearly the case in the lives of Paul and Barnabas of whom we just heard about from the book of Acts. Paul found himself stoned by his own people because he proclaimed the good news.
Wherever we are as Christians, to persevere in the faith means realizing “ it is necessary ..to undergo many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God.” The whole mystery of Christ’s dying and rising is being lived out in each of our own lives and strangely enough this is a sure sign of their authenticity.
In our gospel, Jesus is about to face suffering and death but he is doing so because of his great love for the Father. It is this love that he shares with each and all of us, a love that enabled Paul and Barnabas to proclaim the good news in season and out of season. Here at the Eucharist, the supreme act of Christ’s great love is not only made present but is given to each of us so as to fill our hearts.
(Acts 14:19-28; Jn 14:27-31a)