Tuesday, May 1, 2018; St. Joseph the Worker Acts 14:19-28; Psalm 144(145):10-13a, 21; John 14:27-31
By REV. FR. ANTHONY EWHERIDO
“Peace I bequeath to you, my own peace I give you.”
Today’s encouragement from Jesus, urging us not to let our hearts be troubled and not to be afraid, speaks to our generation amidst the breakdown in peace, security, human rights and dignity, quality of life, religious tolerance, freedom of speech, and positive values worldwide. People live in constant fear and often under terror. Many live in unhealthy and inhuman conditions. People remain unemployed, underemployed and enslaved. Many are terrorized for religious and ideological reasons. Christ says: do not be afraid. He invites us to come into his peace by aligning fully with him in the midst of our troubles. Living under his reign, the Prince of peace promises us peace as no one else can give it. To have Jesus in us is itself peace beyond all telling. His presence was the reason for the courage and strength of the early church Christians who remained committed despite their afflictions. In the midst of our own problems, Christ offers us the security and peace that we need. On workers day, we commit all workers, especially the underpaid and enslaved workers, and the unemployed to St. Joseph’s intercession.
Lord, give us your peace. Amen.
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