Gospel of Peace - Week 5: Tuesday

John 16:33

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

Commentary

Fr. Tadros Malaty
The peace that the Lord Jesus Christ gives them offers the blessed, glorious life so that they may enjoy the spirit of strength and victory along with the heavenly comfort and divine support.

He does not conceal from them the fact that in the world they will have tribulation. However, He asks them to be of good cheer in the middle of tribulation because He will be revealed in their life as overcoming the sinful world.

It is said that an artist wished to present a painting of peace. He chose to paint a very stormy day and a huge rock that was battered by waves on all sides. In this painting there was a ship that was wrecked by the waves and corpses of sailors and passengers floated on the water in the middle of a vortex. A dove that built a nest in a hole in the middle of the rock lay there quite secure. The artist then wrote the word “Peace” on the rock directly below that hole. Thus is our peace in Jesus Christ the Rock of ages. In Him we dwell and have rest amid the vortex and tribulations of life.

Questions

• Do we truly believe that peace in times of hardship is attainable?

• Do we often find ourselves saying “this tribulation will pass” without praying for God to grant us peace?

• Even if we find peace in difficult times, how long does it last? How do we feel once it has left us?