In The Spirit
Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 14:27-31A - Jesus said to his disciples: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. You heard me tell you, ‘I am going away and I will come back to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe. I will no longer speak much with you, for the ruler of the world is coming. He has no power over me, but the world must know that I love the Father and that I do just as the Father has commanded me.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus doesn’t just give us earthly peace–in the forms of relaxation, quiet, and calm. He says, “Not as the world gives do I give it to you.” Jesus gives us His peace. Jesus’ peace is not subject to the circumstances around us. Even if there is trouble, suffering, busyness, or noise around us, Jesus’ peace is substantial and unshakable–regardless of the circumstances.
We have to realize that all the things we hope for from the world–its peace, happiness, and satisfaction–are sad imitations of real peace. Real, substantial, lasting peace can only be found in Christ. And it can be found! “My peace I leave you,” Jesus says. A few days after this (after the Resurrection) Jesus will again come and say, “Peace be with you,” and then He will breath on the disciples and say, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” Jesus leaves us His profound, substantial peace in His gift of the Holy Spirit. In the Holy Spirit we are in Christ and He is in us. In the Holy Spirit we possess everything. Come, Holy Spirit, give us Christ and His profound peace!
As a family, pray a portion of the Rosary together (very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture passage above. (Optional: allow a brief time for discussion or questions from children concerning their thoughts and prayer.)
Reminder for Parents: Pier is just meant to be a jumping off point. The real goal is that you pray & eventually use the fruits of your personal prayer as the content of your family’s prayer. Duc in altum.
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