Tuesday 17 May 2022

Today is Tuesday the 17th of May, in the fifth week of Easter.

The community of Taizé sing Frieden, Frieden: Peace I leave you, my peace I give you.
Frieden, frieden
Hinterlasse ich euch
Maynen frieden gebe ich euch
Euer Herz verzage nicht


Today’s reading is from the Gospel of John.
John 14:27-31
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. You heard me say to you, “I am going away, and I am coming to you.” If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe. I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over me; but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us be on our way.

Today, Jesus speaks of peace, as he prepares his followers for his death and resurrection. ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.’
What things are troubling your heart now? Take a moment to name these with God.
Jesus promises to give peace, but not as the world gives.
Can you remember a time when you experienced this peace, perhaps in a difficult or uncertain time?

As you listen to the reading again, notice what Jesus says about having to go away? What feelings arise in you as you listen?
Jesus explains why it is more important for him to return to the Father than to remain with them.
We might wonder how the disciples felt upon hearing these words, afraid, abandoned, confused maybe?
We return to the words that Jesus started with, ‘Peace I leave you; my peace I give you.’
As you pray, receive these words as a gift from Jesus.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.