My Peace

In preparing the disciples for his departure, Jesus repeats:  "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you." (Jn 14: 27)  When he appears after the resurrection, his first greeting is "Peace be with you."  (Jn 20:19). Why this greeting so frequently?  Jesus knows what's in us, our capacity to exaggerate fear and worse case scenarios, and, without chiding, he simply offers peace.  When we think of it, what good are we when we lose our peace? We fret, we bark, we can't sleep, we fall apart.  So, as this message was addressed to the apostles, so is it meant for us.  Perhaps today we are exceptionally agitated over what we have to do; rather than becoming stressed out, we need to stop and receive this gift of peace.  It's a peace that is over and above what the world offers, it is that inner grace and peace that overshadows all the worries and woes we can imagine.  Sitting quietly, listening to the voice of Jesus within us, fears disappear and we find peace.
Bro. Rene