At the Last Supper, Jesus says something astonishing:
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you.”
In the face of betrayal and death, Jesus offers peace—not as a farewell, but as a gift. This peace isn’t emotional calm or worldly comfort. It is, as the Navarre Commentary says, a divine assurance rooted in reconciliation with God and with one another—a fruit of the Holy Spirit. It is serenity of mind, simplicity of heart, and union in charity.
Saints Paul and Barnabas embodied this peace. Though rejected, beaten, and even stoned, they continued to preach, strengthen communities, and ordain leaders. Their peace didn’t come from ease but from Christ. It was resilient, hopeful, and enduring.
We all face hardship. But when we react with anger or despair, we reveal a reliance on the world’s version of peace—one built on control and comfort. Christ invites us to something deeper: a peace the world can’t give and cannot take away. Peace is not the absence of problems. It is the presence of Christ in the storm.
Interestingly, Don Miguel Ruiz’s Four Agreements can help us understand how to live out Christ’s peace in the midst of daily life:
- Be Impeccable with Your Word – Like Christ, speak truth in love. In a noisy world filled with lies and manipulation, we imitate Christ by using our words to bless, not curse—to build, not to destroy. Let your words be a source of healing, not division.
- Don’t Take Anything Personally – This agreement protects us from the emotional storms that steal our peace. Anchored in Christ, we don’t need others’ approval. Peace comes from knowing who we are in Him.
- Don’t Make Assumptions – Conflict often arises when we assume others’ intentions. Christ’s peace calls us into charity, patience, and listening. Instead of jumping to conclusions or projecting motives, we are invited to live in humble trust—with God and with others.
- Always Do Your Best – Peace doesn’t require perfection, only faithfulness. Our best, joined to God’s grace, brings fruit in unexpected ways.
Jesus’ peace is not freedom from trouble—it is confidence in the midst of it. It is knowing that we are held by a love stronger than death.
Let us pray for this peace: not shallow or fleeting, but deep, durable, and divine. May it steady our hearts, shape our lives, and flow through us into a restless world.
“Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.”
—John 14:27
- Father Pinto's inspirational homily was recorded live during Mass at the Father Peyton Center this morning. You can view the Mass (and the Rosary at the 30-minute mark) on the Family Rosary YouTube page.
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.jpg "Father Pinto Paul, C.S.C.")