In today’s Gospel, Jesus promises his disciples that God will continue to dwell with them and with all who love him. He also promises that they will receive the Holy Spirit, who will continue to enlighten them. But he leaves them one more thing—peace. Peace to keep their hearts from being troubled. Peace to protect them from fear. Peace to stay with them forever. On this Memorial Day weekend, let us reflect on the peace that only God can provide​ ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Hearing this Gospel (John 14) we must wonder: what have we done with the message of Jesus? Stop any young person on our streets and ask what does religion, or God mean to them. Many of them are indifferent to so much of what they perceive the churches are saying and doing. Even the vocabulary that Christian churches use appears to have little or no meaning to the children and grandchildren of people who were “practicing Catholics”. There is widespread indifference. There is also distrust and anger. The clerical child sex abuse cases have been devastating for victims and their families, for the faithful, for the public at large. And yet if one can step back from all that terrible mess, and listen to today’s Gospel with an open heart and mind, one is transported into an ideal of love, care and peace. “I give you a peace the world cannot give, this is my gift to you.” (John 14: 27) Imagine if we had peace in our world. How well known is the church for campaigning for peace? Yes, there are some strong Christian advocates for peace, but I don’t think any measure of public opinion would show the churches in the vanguard when it comes to peace campaigners. Or at least the churches’ message does not sound vibrant enough to be reported by the media. Last year the world spent $1.7 trillion on armaments. The US president has requested a $750 billion military budget for 2020. And have we any idea what Russia and China are spending on weaponry? Weapons that are designed to kill and maim. Surely a far cry from the ideal of Jesus “I give you a peace.” How many homilists will proclaim this message of peace, and what Jesus means when he tells us to love one another? We are invited to stay close to him, make our home with him. We all need a haven, a place which we can call home. Imagine what that message has to say to a world that is so fractured. The peace, unity and love that Christ offers our world is anything but out of date and staid. It is a message of hope and love, filled with excitement and challenge. As individuals, we may not be in a position to rid the world of the shocking arsenal that has been built — but we all can play our own role in living the very different story taught us by Jesus Christ. Isn’t it odd how seldom a word is said in church against weapons of mass destruction? That might be part of the reason why so many people have given up on us. What is the perceived relevance of our church today? Jesus lived and preached love and peace, not indifference.​​

Jesus answered him, “Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; and the word that you hear is not mine, but is from the Father who sent me. “I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I am coming to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe.​​