The Peace of Jesus

    “The peace of Jesus is a gift.  We cannot obtain it through human means.  The peace of Jesus is something else:  the peace of Jesus teaches us to endure.  To endure is to carry life on our shoulders, our difficulties, our work, everything, and to have the courage to go forward.” (Pope Francis)

   If we are to know the peace of Jesus we must first have some understanding of the peace He is offering us.  It is not the same as the peace the world offers.  The peace of the world is short-lived and based on human desires.  The peace Jesus offers is one that will carry us through our life, the good times and the bad.  His peace will comfort us in sorrow, elate us in joy, and bring us to our Father in heaven.

   The peace of Jesus is one of faith.  It is one of trust in our Savior.  This peace can’t be taken from us though we can forfeit it by turning from God.  Regardless the trials we may face or the crosses we may be called to bear Jesus will bring peace to our life.  But it is up to us to accept it.  We must have faith in His word and trust that He will see us through any hardship we may encounter.  We must trust that He has won the war even though we may still have battles to face in this life.

   When life seems unbearable that is when we must turn to Jesus for His peace.  When we feel that we can’t go on, He will strengthen us and carry us through our despair.  The peace of Jesus is our lifeboat in the stormy seas of this world.

   “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give it to you.  Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14: 27)