Tag Archives: Pentecost

Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.”  The disciples rejoiced when they saw that it was the Lord.  When Jesus appears to his disciples after his resurrection, the first thing he says to them is “Peace be with you.”  Peace was obviously important to Jesus because it is how he greets his disciples after his resurrection. 

Peace. 

Peace is important to each of us.  But peace is also elusive.  It is elusive for nations, families and even within our very being.  It is something we all try to achieve but few ever actually find. 

There are many different definitions for peace.  We all know the primary definition of “Peace” as peace between two warring nations.  We seek peace between the nations of Ukraine and Russia.  We seek peace in the Middle East between Israel and Hamas. 

We also seek peace within our families and with our friends who are so often torn apart by harsh words, anger, and jealousy. 

It takes a fair amount of research to get down to the sixth definition in Dictionary.com to define “Peace” as freedom of the mind from annoyance, distraction, anxiety, an obsession.  Peace is tranquility; serenity; or quiet, calm.  I would add freedom of the Spirit, deep within our hearts as well as the mind to this definition because this is the peace that Jesus means. 

God made us in his image, so our soul searches for a relationship with God.  Our soul will not rest until it finds that peace.  The world desperately searches for that peace without finding it. 

Many people seek that peace in numerous ways: a better job, a bigger house, a new expensive car, prestige, power, and fame.  Some people seek that peace through addiction to sex, drugs, and acceptance by the “In” crowd.  All of these lack the peace that only God can give us.  So we keep searching, trying harder to get ahead and be happy.  We will not find the peace that Jesus gives in the world. 

In the fourteenth chapter of John, we read: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.  Not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” 

There is a famous passage from St. Augustine’s Confessions in which Saint Augustine states “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.” 

We search for peace everywhere but in God.  And we wonder why we are unable to find peace.  It’s a never ending cycle, viciously searching for something we cannot seem to find. 

Jesus still comes to us today and says, “Peace be with you.”  Often it is in the busyness of our day.  Frequently it is in the quiet moments we spend with our Lord in prayer.  Then he invites us to see the wounds in his hands, feet, and side showing us that it is really him every time we see a Crucifix just as he showed his disciples when he appeared to them. 

Peace is important to our new Pope.  Pope Leo XIV greeted the city of Rome and the world with these words at his first appearance as the Successor of Peter from the Central Loggia of St Peter’s Basilica: “Peace be with you all!”  He continued: “Dear brothers and sisters, these are the first words spoken by the risen Christ, the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for God’s flock.  I would like this greeting of peace to resound in your hearts, in your families, among all people, wherever they may be, in every nation and throughout the world.  Peace be with you! 

It is the peace of the risen Christ.  A peace that is unarmed and disarming, humble and persevering.  A peace that comes from God, the God who loves us all, unconditionally.” 

Think about it.  The first words spoken by the risen Christ!  “Peace be with you!”  We must share this peace with everyone we meet! 

On the day of Pentecost, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to his disciples to teach them all things and to help them remember what he had told them.  The Holy Spirit still comes to us today to lead us and help us make good decisions in our daily lives. 

If we ask the Holy Spirit to help us and open our hearts to his leading, we will share the Good News that Jesus preached to the ends of the earth.  The Holy Spirit will guide us and give us the words to say to a coworker about becoming a Christian. 

It is easy to give and support oversea missions.  It is definitely a lot harder to speak to a neighbor, a coworker, or a friend about God.  Through prayer, the Holy Spirit will give us the courage and the words to lead that person to Christ. 

Pentecost was the day that the Holy Spirit came down and appeared as tounges of fire above Our Blessed Mother and the disciples.  The disciples went from hiding behind locked doors fearful for their lives, to boldly proclaiming God’s love and sharing the peace that only comes from God. 

In today’s Gospel Jesus came and stood in the midst of his disciples and said to them, “Peace be with you.”  Will we hide by keeping quiet about our faith or will we let the Holy Spirit give us strength and courage to share our faith with others?  Are we too concerned about being liked by others that we remain silent rather than speak up for someone who is being put down?  Whether it is on the playground or in the classroom, or in front of our manager because we are seeking a promotion? 

The first words of the risen Christ were “Peace be with you!”  Will I share this peace with everyone I meet? 

Peace be with you. 

In today’s Gospel Jesus said to his Disciples: “Peace be with you.”  After his Resurrection, Jesus greeted his Disciples with “Peace be with you”.  A few simple words with tremendous meaning and healing. 

What do we think of when we say “Peace”?  We usually think of a time without war or fighting between nations, groups and even within families.  But peace can also mean a sense of well-being within ourselves, our heart and soul.  

Peace is elusive.  Whether it is peace between nations, ethnic groups, families or even within our inner being.  We see war all around us; Ukraine, Middle East, the political polarization within our country – regardless of which side we are on, between different cultural groups and even within our families. 

But the most disconcerting perhaps is the war within us.  Even with all the blessings and comforts of life that we have there is still a restlessness within us, we are still restless, lacking true peace.  Saint Augustine of Hippo, a Doctor of the Church, wrote: “Great are you, O Lord, and exceedingly worthy of praise; your power is immense, and your wisdom beyond reckoning.  And so we mortals, who are a due part of your creation, long to praise you – we also carry our mortality about with us, carry the evidence of our sin and with it the proof that you thwart the proud.  You arouse us so that praising you may bring us joy, because you have made us and drawn us to yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.” 

Indeed, our soul is restless, at war with itself, until we rest in God. 

Bishop Senior of Harrisburg wrote for Pentecost: “The Holy Spirit, the Advocate, is our helper and guide just as He was for the first Apostles. As Christians, we are all entrusted with the mission to spread the Gospel, each in our own way. In the Church, priests play a critical role in the work of evangelization.”  While the Priests are given a special role, we too as laity must spread the Gospel, each in our own way.  But how can we do that if we are restless within? 

In today’s Gospel, Jesus said to them (the Apostles) again, “Peace be with you.  As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”  And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the holy Spirit.” 

Jesus then told the Apostles that the sins that they forgave would be forgiven and established for us the wonderful Sacrament of Penance.  This sacrament has been handed down through the millennia from the Pope to the Bishops and from them to the Priests. 

In the 51^st Psalm, the Psalmist wrote: “My offenses truly I know them my sin is always before me.”  When our souls are troubled and we are unable to find peace within because our sins are always before us, we can receive absolution for our sins through the Sacrament of Penance. 

Many of you have recently received First Penance in preparation for your First Holy Communion.  What a wonderful gift it is, and I pray that you will continue to go to Confession throughout your life for the peace it brings to you.  In a few moments, Father will concentrate the bread and the wine, and it will become for us the Body and Blood of Jesus the Christ, our Lord and Savior.  That is what sets us apart from all other religions. 

When you will receive your First Holy Communion, you will receive the Body and Blood of Jesus into your body and soul.  Receive these Sacraments of Penance and Holy Eucharist frequently throughout your life, and the Holy Spirit that Jesus will send to you, will grant you his peace.