MY PEACE I GIVE YOU

Matthew 10:12-13

“As you enter a house, wish it peace. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it…”

I have been to many friend’s and relative’s houses. But the one experience I really vividly remember is when I went to a classmate’s house when I am still in high school. It was the town fiesta, and he invited me to his house. I then learned that they live in a squatter area. Still, I went there. As expected, the streets are already full of men drinking and merry-making. When I reached the house, I was met by his mother. Inside, his father is preparing the lunch for us. I didn’t see anyone inside drinking (as I presumed). There was a little altar where the Holy Family sits fronting the door of the house.

His mother showed us a photo album and has so may stories about his son. His father then called us for lunch – a simple menu of fish, meat and vegetables – but truly a “labor of love.” And before we eat, we said grace. It was a peaceful place as compared to what I encountered outside – really worthy to be called a home.

In our hearts reside peace and should be worthy to be called the dwelling place of God’s Spirit. In spite of all the anger and hatred that we sometimes feel and experience outside, we should let the peace in our hearts reign over it all. God loves us and wants us to know Him so He can fill us with peace and give us real life – forever.

“My peace I leave you, my peace I give to you”. Let us rejoice in the Risen Lord’s gift of peace, the peace that, should we accept it, will break our cycles of violence and revenge, and will re-create the world according to the “original blessing” that is the very happiness of God. Christ’s Kingdom would be hell for those who avoided peace and devoted their lives to division, anger and hatred. Heaven is right in front of us. At the heart of what Jesus says in every gospel, act and parable is this: Now, this very minute, we can enter the Kingdom of God.

Oh Jesus Christ, Messiah and Lord, grant us, Lord, the lamp of charity which never fails, that it may burn in us and shed its light on those around us. Thank you for giving me free will to love and be loved, to make my own decisions and to learn from my mistakes. Amen +

I leave you peace, My peace I give you.