Daily Gospel Reflection for May 5, 2015

Today’s Gospel: John 14:27-31A

Peace. I don’t know what I thought it was, but when I found it, it was far different than I thought it would be.

I think I must have pictured it as everything working out perfectly (read: as I planned it) or as not ever having to worry about bills again or as never being sick or having sick people to take care of. I pictured it as a sparkly rainbow land filled with perfection and candy-topped moments.

What I never considered was how sick all of that sweetness would make me.

It turns out that, in my life, peace isn’t like that at all. Instead, it’s more of a calm assurance, a mindset that can’t be shaken no matter what a toddler, an aging adult, or a life circumstance may conspire to make me quake in my shoes. Peace is the strength I get from knowing Who is in charge and letting Him take the wheel.

As a certified control freak, this was no easy transformation of mind. It took a regular practice of rosaries, many hours of confession, and at least a big dollop of maturity on top. Having had a taste of it, though, I’m not about to turn back to my old ways. God can worry about it. I’ll take the peace; he can have the problems.

Ponder:

What am I doing to stand in the way of the peace God wants for me? What can I do to get out of his way?

Pray:

Lord, I know you want peace for me. Grant me the grace to get out of your way and let you show me the way to your peace. Amen.

We thank our friends at The Word Among Us for providing our gospel reflection team with copies of Abide In My Word 2015: Mass Readings at Your Fingertips. To pray the daily gospels with this wonderful resource, visit The Word Among Us.

Copyright 2015 Sarah Reinhard