“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid”. John 14 : 27
Thought for this week
Do you remember telephones in the old days – how sometimes you would pick up the receiver and there would be a conversation on the line? It was always a challenge to put the phone down and not listen for a few moments!
In our Gospel reading Jesus is speaking to His disciples. Assuring them, comforting them, and preparing them for when He is no longer physically with them, but sending the Holy Spirit.
It is humbling and moving to hear such words from Jesus of such compassion and hope amidst all the disciples will need to endure through their faith in Jesus.
These are words spoken at the Last Supper for Jesus’ friends, except that we are meant to be part. We are included. They are words meant for us as well.
In these words Jesus gives us the most wonderful promise. ‘Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you’. In some ways this sums up the whole of Jesus’ ministry to us. He has won peace for us through the Cross, peace with God through forgiveness of our sins, peace with others, and peace within ourselves.
Each day is a gift, because the love of Jesus for us is the greatest gift. Paul
Diocesan Vision Prayer for our Life Together, by Susanna Gunner
Christ of transformation, sow deep into the soil of our hearts and parishes, your seeds of prayerful listening, conversation and discernment: then nurture their growth, we pray, with the gentle rains of your Spirit that they may flower and fruit into new ways of revealing the abundant life you offer and long for us to share. Amen
God our redeemer, you have delivered us from the power of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of your Son: grant, that as by his death he has recalled us to life, so by his continual presence in us he may raise us to eternal joy; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, Amen
Readings this week
Acts 16 : 9 - 15
Revelation 21 : 10, 22 – 22 : 5
John 14 : 23 – 29
Our Prayers
For our mission and outreach
For everyone on half term
For Christians persecuted for their faith