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.” John
14:27
So how does the peace that Jesus gives you differ from the apparent
peace that the world gives? We all want peace in life. The desire
for interior peace is written upon our very nature. And though many
people make choices that lead to interior disorder and even chaos,
those choices are often made out of a confused sense of what
actually provides fulfillment.
For example, those who choose to feed an addiction to drugs or
alcohol often began that addiction out of a misguided desire for
happiness. The temporary fix experienced gives the temporary sense
of well-being. But objectively speaking, it is very clear that the
temporary “peace” one receives from these actions leads ultimately
to a loss of the very thing they desire. And when these choices
become addictions, the person often finds themself trapped in a
downward spiral.
There are also countless other ways in which people find themselves
seeking satisfaction and fulfillment in life. Money, promiscuity,
cheating, selfishness, anger, deception, and the like are all
actions that are done with the intent of some satisfaction. Our
daily goal must be to unmask those deceptive actions so that we can
see them for what they are and for the fruit that they produce.
These are clearly among the many ways that the “world” offers us
peace.
When it comes to true happiness in life, the gift of true interior
peace is one of the clearest signs that we are on the right track
and are making the right decisions. When we choose the will of God
each and every day, those choices may be difficult and require much
initial sacrifice. Love can be hard. Faithfulness to the moral law
of God can be challenging. And refusing to sin is difficult. But
choosing the will of God throughout our day, every day, will begin
to produce within us the consoling and sustaining gift of the peace
of Christ.
True peace produces strength. It leads to interior integrity and
wholeness. It produces clarity of thought and certitude in
convictions. God’s peace leads to more peace. It leads to choices
based on well-thought-out actions of love. Peace leads us to the
will of God, and the will of God leads to peace. The cyclical
effect is exponential and is one of the clearest guides to
happiness in life.
Reflect, today, upon whether you truly have peace in your heart. Do
you recognize the still, strong and sustaining presence of God
within your soul? Do your daily choices produce greater integrity
of heart and clarity of mind? Do you find that you have joy and
calm, even in the midst of life’s greatest challenges? Seek out
this peace, for if you do, you will be seeking out the good God Who
produces this glorious gift within your heart.
My Lord of true peace, You and Your holy will are the only path
to the deepest fulfillment of all of my desires in life. When I
make poor choices that lead to disorder and confusion, help me to
turn to You with all my heart. Please unmask any deception I
struggle with and give me the strength I need to seek You and Your
peace alone. Jesus, I trust in You.
Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.com
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Featured images above: “Figure of Christ” by Heinrich
Hofmann, via Wikimedia Commons,
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