6th Sunday of Easter 2022 c

INTRO:

I WAS A YOUNG BOY in the early or mid-sixty’s when the SIGN OF PEACE originated in the Mass. I distinctly remember my mom and dad a bit hesitant about this “gesture.” I heard them “talking” and questioning it. We kids thought it COOL! However, my parents embraced what the church was teaching.

We hear today.
“Peace, I leave with you, my peace I give to you.”

There is a lot going on in this Gospel which is called Jesus’s FAREWELL discourse to the Apostles. Jesus says many instructions as he is about to ascend into heaven in this section of the Gospel.

Importantly He references PEACE. WHY? Because the Apostles are going crazy with fear, confusion, bewilderment, joy, happiness, and excitement all mixed emotions as I am sure you can imagine.

Christ wanted them to
S E T T L E D O W N!
R E L A X
F E A R N O T.

He just told them that he would send The Advocate that will help, guide, shape, and comfort his followers and these Apostles.

In Scripture study the GREEK used the word, YOU, but the writing of that word was in the second-person plural which meant “you all” which means:

Peace, I leave with ALL OF YOU, my peace I give to all of you!

Not just the APOSTLES, but each member, each follower of JESUS must become agents of peace to others.

When we say PEACE BE WITH YOU at the Mass, it is not a
Hello how are you
Hey man good to be with you
It is not even meant to say, I love you.

It is meant for each of us to WISH solid peace into our neighbor.

All people come to liturgy, come to Mass with something of a need.
Some are distraught
Some are worried about the future and
Some are okay

But the point is you and I may not know how they come and so at the SIGN OF PEACE WISH it upon them so that in their reception of holy communion JESUS will assist and comfort them.

CONCLUSION: The SIGN OF PEACE is a beautiful action in our Mass causing each of us to be agents of peace for another.

You and I can change the world if we genuinely believe and live the message of this Gospel
“Peace, I leave with you, my peace I give to you.”