“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you” (Jn 14:27). The peace that Jesus is talking about, the peace that he gives us is a peace the surpasses all understanding, because it does not come from this world but from the overflowing and eternal love of the Trinity.
God is an infinite communion of Love. There are three Persons, yet one God, because of their infinite nature. There is a complete, perfect and infinite giving and receiving between the Father and the Son and the Love that is shared between them, the Holy Spirit. We experience this peace because of Jesus, because in his becoming one with us in our humanity, we become one with him in his divinity. This reality grants us access to the Love of the Holy Spirit. This peace is not just an absence of stress, anxiety, violence, and war, but a resting, abiding, and sharing in his trinitarian communion.
We abide in God as we continually develop our relationship with his Son and each other, so as to experience the Love he shares with the Father. Jesus does not promise with his bestowal of his peace that we will now have an easy time of it. We still live in a wounded, dark, and fallen world and there will be trials, tribulations, and tragedy, yet through all matter of what we are dealing with, we can tap into the infinite well spring of the love of God. He is present and accompanies us in the midst of any and every situation we invite him into, such that there may be chaos all around, but as we turn to Jesus and trust in him, we will experience his peace.
When we were given the news of JoAnn’s diagnosis of pancreatic cancer on the Wednesday of Holy Week in 2019, our lives entered a whirlwind and flurry of activity. Since our adult children lived in California, JoAnn wanted to be closer to them and access the treatment plan offered at USC. Physically, we were both straight out getting everything in order, yet all the pieces fell into their proper places for the move and our stay in California.
Even during JoAnn’s steady decline, making preparations for, transportation back to Florida for JoAnn’s funeral as well as the weeks, months, and two and a half years of grief to follow, each step of the way, we and I felt Jesus directly, as well as through the tremendous outpouring of love, support, and prayer from so many.
Jesus knocks on each of our doors, seeking to come into our lives and develop a relationship with us. This is why we are an alleluia people. We are called to live our life to the full and with joy no matter the circumstances. Even the midst of our pain. When we bring it to Jesus, he is present even if we don’t feel him. Jesus knocks at the door. I encourage you to let him in so you may experience his peace, that peace that surpasses all understanding.
Photo: Two bright lights shining in the darkness! JoAnn with Christy on her arrival to California. JoAnn stayed with Christy until our apartment opened up.
Spiritual Stepping Stones