Br. Justin Mpuruta sx
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Shalom! Jesus said to his apostles and is telling to us today: “Peace I leave with you, my own peace I give you”. So can we give peace to others if we don’t have it ourselves within us? In the first reading, we hear how the disciples solved a big issue in the first Christian Community, through dialogue and synodality, guided by the Holy Spirit. They were looking for true faith and justice and they strengthened all the people, wishing them courage and peace through the word: “Farewell”. The second reading gives us the magnificent picture of the unity of the New Jerusalem which is the Church. And in the Gospel, Jesus, in the last supper, is giving the fundamentals thoughts of his imminent departure. Despite his leaving, he promises the unity through love and the assurance of the Holy Spirit, Paraclete, Energizer and reminder. He gives the Peace that the word cannot give. This peace (Shalom) is not only the lack of war, as our Pope LEO XIV reminded us, but the communion with God. We have a testament recalling us to stay in communion with God, growing in his love and peace. The today’s readings remind us the psalmist conviction that “Faithful love and truth meet, saving justice and peace embrace” within us (Ps 85, 10).
Jesus invites us today to a commitment love in order to be obedient and to allow the whole Trinity to dwell in us. This is why the Gospel Love “Agape” is not a romantic emotion or feeling. It is sacrifice. It is our identity as Christians, our closeness to God, our finality as John testimonies it: “God is love, and he whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him” (1Jn 4,16b). Therefore, at the end of times, we will be judged through Love (Cf. Mt 25, 31-46). For the Pope Benedict XVI, love is the heart of the Christian faith (Deus Caritas Est, 1). And love of Christ remains our light and impels us (cf.2Cor 5, 14). That is why, in a world where the name of God is sometimes associated with vengeance or even a duty of hatred and violence, the message of real love is both timely and significant to make one family in Christ. Our life must preach the whole humanity, because no one can hate his brethren he has seen and love God whom he hasn’t seen (cf. 1Jn 4, 20). If we love God, then we will care of nature and humanity seeking peace.
Actually, the peace that Jesus is telling about is a consequence of right love. Peace is a good communion with ourselves (within us), good relationship with God, with the neighbour and the nature (ecology). It is only the real love “Agape” which can bring peace because there isn’t interest inside and it can embrace even the enemies. As we are living in the midst of turmoil in the World, let us be clear. The peace doesn’t mean indifference but internal tranquillity. It isn’t for the lazy, coward and wicked people but for the one who put their hope and strength in the Lord for goodness. It doesn’t means that we will escape from our reality of troubles or conflicts but that we are independent of the things that can separate us from the communion love of God. Where do you get peace, from the Holy Spirit energizer or from the world through drugs (Kush, tramadol, alcohol, wealth, prostitution…)?
When you feel the lack of love within you, in your family, call the Holy Spirit. We are experiencing war and violence in some parts of the world, divisions amongst people; let us call the Holy Spirit to give us courage and to teach us the Trinity communion. Through sacraments, the Holy Spirit will continue to energize each of us increasing his love and helping to build bridges of peace. It is he who brings the holistic healing of the body and souls. We offer him the doctors and medical personal to bring healing to the sick. May He heal anger, fears, hatreds, anxieties, divisions, and depressions within us. As we are his temple, may he energize us with his fruits and his gifts through Christ our Lord! Amen!
HAPPY SUNDAY!
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Shalom! Jesus said to his apostles and is telling to us today: “Peace I leave with you, my own peace I give you”. So can we give peace to others if we don’t have it ourselves within us? In the first reading, we hear how the disciples solved a big issue in the first Christian Community, through dialogue and synodality, guided by the Holy Spirit. They were looking for true faith and justice and they strengthened all the people, wishing them courage and peace through the word: “Farewell”. The second reading gives us the magnificent picture of the unity of the New Jerusalem which is the Church. And in the Gospel, Jesus, in the last supper, is giving the fundamentals thoughts of his imminent departure. Despite his leaving, he promises the unity through love and the assurance of the Holy Spirit, Paraclete, Energizer and reminder. He gives the Peace that the word cannot give. This peace (Shalom) is not only the lack of war, as our Pope LEO XIV reminded us, but the communion with God. We have a testament recalling us to stay in communion with God, growing in his love and peace. The today’s readings remind us the psalmist conviction that “Faithful love and truth meet, saving justice and peace embrace” within us (Ps 85, 10).
Jesus invites us today to a commitment love in order to be obedient and to allow the whole Trinity to dwell in us. This is why the Gospel Love “Agape” is not a romantic emotion or feeling. It is sacrifice. It is our identity as Christians, our closeness to God, our finality as John testimonies it: “God is love, and he whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him” (1Jn 4,16b). Therefore, at the end of times, we will be judged through Love (Cf. Mt 25, 31-46). For the Pope Benedict XVI, love is the heart of the Christian faith (Deus Caritas Est, 1). And love of Christ remains our light and impels us (cf.2Cor 5, 14). That is why, in a world where the name of God is sometimes associated with vengeance or even a duty of hatred and violence, the message of real love is both timely and significant to make one family in Christ. Our life must preach the whole humanity, because no one can hate his brethren he has seen and love God whom he hasn’t seen (cf. 1Jn 4, 20). If we love God, then we will care of nature and humanity seeking peace.
Actually, the peace that Jesus is telling about is a consequence of right love. Peace is a good communion with ourselves (within us), good relationship with God, with the neighbour and the nature (ecology). It is only the real love “Agape” which can bring peace because there isn’t interest inside and it can embrace even the enemies. As we are living in the midst of turmoil in the World, let us be clear. The peace doesn’t mean indifference but internal tranquillity. It isn’t for the lazy, coward and wicked people but for the one who put their hope and strength in the Lord for goodness. It doesn’t means that we will escape from our reality of troubles or conflicts but that we are independent of the things that can separate us from the communion love of God. Where do you get peace, from the Holy Spirit energizer or from the world through drugs (Kush, tramadol, alcohol, wealth, prostitution…)?
When you feel the lack of love within you, in your family, call the Holy Spirit. We are experiencing war and violence in some parts of the world, divisions amongst people; let us call the Holy Spirit to give us courage and to teach us the Trinity communion. Through sacraments, the Holy Spirit will continue to energize each of us increasing his love and helping to build bridges of peace. It is he who brings the holistic healing of the body and souls. We offer him the doctors and medical personal to bring healing to the sick. May He heal anger, fears, hatreds, anxieties, divisions, and depressions within us. As we are his temple, may he energize us with his fruits and his gifts through Christ our Lord! Amen!
HAPPY SUNDAY!