“I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the
world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the
world.” John 16:33
What did Jesus tell His disciples that produced the “peace” of
which He spoke? He is especially referring to His entire Last
Supper Discourse from which we have been reading. The words spoken
throughout this discourse are meant to give the disciples, and us,
“courage” and the ability to conquer the trouble imposed upon us by
the world.
Throughout Jesus’ discourse, He especially points to the unity He
has with His Father and the fact that if we stay united with Jesus,
we will also be united to the Father. He spoke of Himself being the
vine and us the branches who must remain firmly attached to Jesus.
He spoke of this being possible only by the coming power of the
Holy Spirit Whom He will send. And He spoke of the hatred that the
world has for all who remain firmly grounded in the Truth.
Therefore, if you are one who seeks to remain deeply rooted in
Christ, filled with the Holy Spirit and separated from the
deceptions of the secular and un-Christian world, then Jesus is
clearly speaking to you.
In this passage above, Jesus identifies one gift that will help us
on this journey. This particular gift is the gift of His peace.
Peace is the ability to remain calm and focused in the midst of any
and every “trouble” we encounter. The trouble that Christians will
especially face are the various persecutions of the world when we
live in accord with the Truth. And though there are many moral
truths presented clearly by our faith that the world attacks, there
are also other forms of troubles we will encounter within the world
today.
One of the most manifest troubles inflicted upon many by the world
comes in the form of constant visual, auditory and mental
stimulation. Our world is a noisy world. Modern electronics, the
mass media, commercials, radio, Internet, social media and so many
other parts of our daily life have the subtle effect of distracting
us, stimulating us and stealing away the peace of Christ.
Consider, for example, the idea of entering into the silence of a
retreat for a day, or two, or longer. How would you handle turning
off your smartphone, tablet, computer, television and radio for an
extended period of time? Would you go through a form of withdrawal?
Many today would indeed find this difficult. And the reason for
this is that the “peace” of which Jesus speaks is slowly dwindling
in the lives of many. Instead of God’s peace, we are filled with
constant noise, commotion and activity. This is the “world”
attacking us and stealing the peace God wants to bestow.
Reflect, today, upon the exceptionally important truth—that Jesus
wants you to know His peace in your heart. And He wants that peace
to sustain you. Reflect upon the interior battle that may take
place within you between the world and the peace of Christ. Who is
winning that battle for your soul? Is there more of the world or
more of the peace of Christ reigning within you? Seek out the peace
that only Jesus gives, and, as you discover His peace, you will
also discover the source of that peace: Jesus Himself.
Lord of all peace, You have called us out of the world so that
Your peace will abide within us, sustaining us, giving us courage,
wisdom and strength. I open my life to You, dear Lord, and pray
that the many distractions and commotions imposed upon me by the
world will begin to cease. May I always hear Your gentle voice and
follow You to the place of silent repose found only in You. Jesus,
I trust in You.
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Featured image above: The Temptation of Christ by the Devil
By Félix Joseph Barrias, via Wikimedia Commons
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