Christ's Peace with Us in the Holy Spirit

By Bishop Paul S. Loverde
Special to the Herald
(From the issue of 5/20/04)

The following homily was given by Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde during the Mass celebrated at St. Thomas à Becket Church in Reston on May 16 for the sixth Sunday of Easter.

Christ’s word to the Apostles at the Last Supper — proclaimed in today’s Gospel — are words for us also! "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you."

How much we desire and need to hear His Words, especially today — within our families, in our country and Church and in our world! The peace of which Christ speaks means: having the right relationship with God, with self, and with others. When these relationships are in place, we experience an inner peace and a sense of order and harmony.

How is this peace discovered or obtained? How do these right relationships develop? Who is it that helps us to be at peace, to be open to God, to admit our weakness and sin and to struggle against these with God’s help, to be strong and hopeful and loving, to have a right relationship with God, self and others? The One who helps us is the Advocate, the Comforter, the Holy Spirit whom God the Father sends in the name of Jesus. This Holy Spirit is the source of Christ’s peace — the peace that Christ wishes and gives. This is why Jesus says: "Not as the world gives do I give it to you."

How does the world give? Through compromises, agreements, treaties, etc.

How does Christ give peace to us? Through the Holy Spirit, who is given to us at Baptism and Confirmation.

How do we let the Holy Spirit bring us this kind of peace? How do we become peace filled? By becoming open, more and more, to the presence and the power of the Spirit with in us. We need to renew the grace of our Confirmation. Years ago, Cardinal Mercier advised a plan: "Five minutes a day, keep your imagination quiet. Shut your eyes to all things of sense and close your ears to all sounds of earth, so as to be able to withdraw into the sanctuary of your baptized soul, the temple of the Holy Spirit. Speak there to that Holy Spirit." And he proposed a prayer: "O Holy Spirit, soul of my soul, I adore you! Enlighten, guide, strengthen and console me. Tell me what to do and command me to do it. I promise to be submissive to all that you permit to happen to me. Show me only what is your will"

This is a simple plan — It takes only a few minutes — and all can do it. However, because of constant activity and much noise, this simple act is a challenge for us daily.

The more open to the Holy Spirit we are, the more able we are to understand God’s Word and His Will, to keep His Word. "Whoever loves me will keep My Word … . The Holy Spirit will teach you everything and remind you of all I told you." The more open to the Holy Spirit we are, the more we are able to see what we never saw before. "The city had no need of sun or moon ... its lamp was the Lamb." The more open to the Holy Spirit we are, the more we are able to receive Christ’s peace and become peace-makers.

Will it work — this openness to the Holy Spirit? The proof is found in today’s First Reading: dissension and controversy in the church of Antioch was resolved through the power of the Holy Spirit: "It is the decision of the Holy spirit and of us."

The Holy Spirit is the way to real peace, the peace that Christ wishes and gives. Only in becoming more aware of His presence and power within us, only in making room for this Holy Spirit to act within us, only in following the lead and direction of the Holy Spirit can we discover how full of purpose is Christ’s farewell: Peace and how rich is Christ’s gift: Peace.

In every Eucharist, we pray for peace. In this Eucharist, let us ask more sincerely and more earnestly that the Holy Spirit be more present to us, so that through the power of His presence, we discover and live with what we want most: Peace — Christ’s peace — today, tomorrow and always.

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