Be the Light

Gospel: John 14: 23-29

"Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid."

There is a lot to fear in the world.  Lies and deception are ever present and more sophisticated with technology.  The cruelty and violence of the world goes on unabated,  And all of this is just in church world often, let alone the outside environs.  Yet, in the midst of all this, Jesus exhorts us to not be troubled or afraid.  What is more, he gave an example of how to carry this out in our lives.

Jesus went about from town to town doing good to others.  He healed people of their infirmities.  He liberated them from all the demons that oppress and torment them.  He fed them at table.  And yet for all this good Jesus is executed after first being betrayed, denied, and abandoned by his friends.  How did Jesus respond to this mistreatment?  He forgives a pleading thief, and gives pardon to all who participated in his death.  

After he rises from the dead, Jesus will continue his forgiveness tour, breaking bread at table with disciples at Emmaus, extending peace to his fearful disciples in the upper room, extending an invitation of love to the one who denied him.  We are to do good wherever we are and in whatever circumstances we find ourselves.  This is the path to a heart that is not trouble or afraid, to a heart that is truly at peace.