In Jesus, There Is Lasting Peace

Reflection Date: May 05, 2026 | Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Easter
Daily Readings: Acts 14:19-28; John 14:27-31

Children of God:
Recently, Pope Leo spoke strongly about peace in a world filled with division and harsh rhetoric. 

He openly criticized the tone and policies of public figures like Donald Trump, especially when they fueled fear and exclusion. 

His words challenged the mindset that divides rather than unites. 

Many people reacted, some in agreement and others in sharp disagreement. 

Yet the Pope remained consistent in his message that peace must be rooted in dignity and dialogue. 

During his visit to Africa, he repeated this call, reminding communities that peace cannot grow where fear dominates. 

He spoke to leaders and ordinary people alike, urging them to reject violence and embrace understanding. 

His message was simple but firm: peace requires courage and truth. 

Even in places marked by poverty and conflict, he encouraged hope and unity. 

His voice became a reminder that peace is not passive but active and intentional.

In the gospel of John, Jesus offered a different kind of peace, one that the world could not give. 

He spoke to his disciples in a moment of uncertainty and fear, yet his words were calm and reassuring. 

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you.” 

What are our inspirations for today? 

First, true peace begins within a trusting heart.

Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” 

He knew that fear could easily take over the hearts of his disciples. 

He invited them to trust, even when they did not fully understand what was about to happen. 

His peace was not the absence of problems but the presence of trust in God.

This inner peace does not come from control or certainty. 

It comes from surrendering our fears to God. 

The Pope’s strong words about peace were rooted in this kind of conviction. 

He did not speak out of a deep belief that truth and justice lead to real peace. 

In our daily lives, we often feel anxious because of uncertainty, conflict, or pressure. 

We try to fix everything or protect ourselves from discomfort. 

Yet Jesus invited us to a different path. 

When we trust him, we experience a peace that remains even when life feels unstable.

Second, true peace is lived through courageous love.

Jesus said, “The world must know that I love the Father and that I do just as the Father has commanded me.” 

His peace is not separated from action. 

It was expressed through obedience and love, even when it led to sacrifice. 

The Pope’s message reflected this same courage. 

Speaking about peace in a divided world is not always welcomed. 

It can invite criticism or misunderstanding. 

Yet peace requires voices that are willing to stand firm and call people to something better. 

We are also called to live this kind of peace in our relationships. 

It means choosing understanding over winning arguments. 

It means standing for what is right without hatred. 

Peace grows when we act with love, even when it is difficult or uncomfortable.

As we reflect, we ask ourselves: Do I allow fear to disturb my inner peace, or do I trust in God’s presence? 

Do I bring peace into my relationships, or do I add to the noise and conflict? Do I have the courage to live out peace through love, even when it is not easy?

Children of God: 

The world often defines peace as silence or control, but Christ showed it as trust and love. 

The story of today reminds us that peace requires both conviction and humility. 

We are invited to become instruments of this peace in our own spaces. 

Every word we speak and every action we take can build or break peace. 

The journey to peace begins in the heart but reaches others through our lives. 

May we carry this peace wherever we go.