Monday, April 13, 2015

My peace I give to you


My peace I give to you...
Are you comfortable with the Sign of Peace?

Parishioners under 50 might not recall that the Sign of Peace was reintroduced following the deliberations of Vatican II.  After the celebrant prays that the peace of Christ fill our hearts, our families, our Church, our communities, and our world, we are invited to share with those around us a sign of Christ’s peace.  As we do so, we might keep in mind that it is Jesus taking the initiative here:  I leave you peace, my peace I give to you.  It is this peace, born of the gift of salvation, that calmed the worried disciples as they sheltered in a locked room on Pentecost; indeed, it is so important, Jesus says it twice!  Surely it should be as important to us…

When we say to one another at the Mass, Peace be with you, we are extending to those around us something bigger than ourselves, namely, the knowledge of all that Jesus’s love has to bring to this world.  We are invited to share some sign of that love active in our life, communicating it to others, so that that love can flow from within to without, filling our world.  The love of God can’t be contained, or preserved.  Peace be with you is our invitation to others to find the peace that only love can bring, the love, and peace, we know in our hearts.

Peace be with you!

This post is based on Fr. Pat's Scripture class.
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