Homily – 04-22-2008 – Fifth Week of Easter Tuesday

In the gospel passage today – which is taken from the Priestly Prayer of Jesus - which he made after the Last Supper, before he went into the Garden of Gethsemane (to begin the intense dramatization of his love for us by his salvific death and subsequent resurrection) – Jesus gives and leaves his own peace to the disciples (his Apostles) to comfort them and to later be among the most important things that they could offer the faithful flock that would be attracted to the person of the Risen Jesus.

But he tells them that his peace is not like worldly peace, but a peace that reaches deep into the heart and soul of a person, a peace that is the reality of God himself, a peace that can be undisturbed come what may in the circumstances of life.

He then refers to his "going away" and his "coming back" – which can refer both to his being taken away for Crucifixion, and then his return by Resurrection – but it can also be referring to his going away at his Ascension and his coming back (in part by the presence of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, but assuredly at his coming back) at the end of time.

Then Jesus tells them that the prince of this world – the devil will arrive soon to deliver him to physical death, but not to worry, as such a devil has no real power over him – and that Jesus is simply, as always, doing only and solely what his Father in heaven wants him to do.

Christ had to suffer and to rise from the dead, and so enter into his glory. This is the message that Paul and Barnabas are taking into the Gentile territories in our first readings as of later. We see them proclaiming Christ Crucified and Risen. We see them forming communities of the faithful and appointing presbyters (priests) to minister to them. We see them doing exactly what Christ Jesus commanded them to do – and with his power, with his strength, with accompanying signs and wonders – great inroads are made in bringing the Kingdom of God to all the world.

Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your kingdom. We are your friends, O Lord, may we do our part today!