Philip Raj csc –
Readings: Acts 14:19-28; Jn 14: 27-31
The liturgy of the word speaks to us about “inner peace through our convictions”. All of us want to enjoy peace and joy in our hearts. No one likes pain and difficulties but still they come our way at different levels and from different people.
At times, we face problems because of our strong convictions, especially when we stand for our values and principles. Though we may find it difficult to stand for our values, at the end of the day we experience inner peace within our hearts, for what we are, and for what we stood for. No one can take away our inner peace and joy from us, no matter who they are and what they are.
This is what we see in the readings of today. In the first reading, we see the strong conviction of St. Paul to make Jesus known to the world. He was sure that with much tribulation, one must enter the kingdom of God. His conviction gave him the courage and strength to stand for what he believed.
In the gospel reading, we see Jesus speaking about peace which is quite different and unique, because it is not as the world gives to us. Rather it comes with the Holy Spirit who guides our thoughts and actions and who helps us find peace in our hearts. Today, all of us are invited to be aware of our convictions in lives and ask the Holy Spirit to guide our ways to find inner peace and share that peace with people we come across in our life.