Have Peace in Me

May 5, 2008

Monday of the Seventh Week of Easter

By Beth DeCristofaro

…they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And then Paul laid his hands on them,
the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. (Acts 19:5-6)

Behold, the hour is coming and has arrived when each of you will be scattered to his own home
and you will leave me alone. But I am not alone, because the Father is with me. I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world." (John 16:32-33)

Piety

O God, you lead prisoners to prosperity. Lead me. O God, you defend widows and those alone. Defend me. O God, you remember the forsaken. Remember me. Leave me not alone to face my enemies, whether they be of the world or within my own self. Whether I am at peace or whether I am troubled I seek to sing your praises, O God. Leave me not alone. With you I can be at peace and bring you to others. Amen, Alleluia.

Study

http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/050508.shtml

Jesus' words are foundational for what we know as hope. His death is given freely and his rising frees us, we know. At times this is difficult to feel. My beloved mother is losing her mind in a nursing home. A young relative is making a serious mistake. The bills are mounting and my home is at risk. I am at a crossroads of my career and do not have a direction. I have compromised my ethics…

He tells us we are not alone. How do we know this? Because it is in the core of our faith, for sure. Next Sunday we celebrate the coming of the Spirit, the Paraclete. Fr. Raniero Cantalmessa, Pontifical Household Preacher, spoke in a sermon recently that the word paraclete can mean both consoler and defender – or both. He said that if we are called to be Christ for each other, we must also be paracletes for each other. "The Holy Spirit not only consoles us; but he makes us capable of consoling others. True consolation comes from God who is the 'Father of all consolation.' This consolation comes to those who are suffering but does not stop with them; its final goal is reached when those who have experienced consolation in turn console their neighbors with the same consolation with which God consoled them" ( www.zenith.org April 25, 2008)

God gives us others in whom He resides. Our church community and those in need are offered to us and we are offered to them in order to console, defend and witness His presence within.

Action

Preferably in person, touch another with Jesus' love sweeping through you. If this is a difficult time for you, reach around your hurt knowing that Jesus' love is yours despite difficulties, pain, fears and doubts or even if you are unable to sense it at the moment. Consider how you touched the Body of Christ and gave healing and care. Thank Jesus for the opportunity to feel the hope which comes from touching Him.