The associated reading for this reflection can be found in your Every Sacred Sunday Mass journal or online here.
When was the last time you truly felt at peace? Was it when you did something on your own or surrendered everything to the One who is far greater?
In today's Gospel reading, Jesus reminds His disciples to love Him and keep His Word. He promises them a lasting peace far greater than earthly peace, and He sends the Holy Spirit to guide them in His physical absence. Jesus says, "If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father; for the Father is greater than I." He knew His disciples so well that He understood that they would need multiple reminders of His return; He knew they would worry, misunderstand, and feel uneasy about the apparent uncertainty of their futures. Yet He still chose to love them and speak truth over them. The Son of God knew what the future would hold because His Father sent Him on a very specific mission: salvation. Jesus knew that His death on the cross would not be the end of the story but the most significant victory of all time! And His victory would still come to fruition even if the disciples did not comprehend His continued reminders. He simply asked them to rejoice, keep His word, and love Him!
How often do I seek the Lord for guidance and then worry about His provision like the disciples? In my humanity, I try to outpace God and bring things to fruition myself, but I end up worse off and even more confused than before. What if I followed Jesus' example and surrendered to the Father's ways instead? What if I decided to rejoice and rest in His peace rather than fear? What if I made my heart a more suitable dwelling place for Him rather than a more controlled and comfortable dwelling place for myself?
Jesus loved His disciples to the end, and He loves us even still. He sees our human frailty and reminds us to rest in His ways. Even if we cannot comprehend what He is doing now, we can rejoice in knowing He is in control. He will make a way in the wasteland and use our circumstances for good. We can find solace in the promise of His peace that goes beyond our comprehension. We do not need to be afraid! We can rejoice, for He is always with us!
Katie Fitzgerald is a joyful graphic designer from the great state of Texas. She loves the psalms, coffee, sunflowers, Pensacola beaches, art museums, laughing, film photography, and big family dinners (with people who feel like family, even if they aren’t). She is relearning to love small moments and to find joy in the mundane, and she invites you to do the same!