![]() For all intents and purposes, some of those same practical questions about church discipline exist today. We somehow know – even instinctively – that, as Christians, we have a tremendous promise that has, as yet, never failed those who are faithful to His Word and who have attempted in earnest to pursue the radiant life of a believer.įrom the very beginning, especially in our reading from the Acts of the Apostles, we see that the life of the early Church was not without its own set of problems and issues. We take seriously what Our Lord proposes. ![]() Demonstrating our love and affection for someone means we will listen to the Lord – and listen with all our hearts / all our being as though we are listening to an expert, for certainly Christ is the sure expert for us (and present with us today). Our Gospel today ignites a response to those nagging questions by urging us to follow the unique method of the disciples. Our reflection today considers peace, not in its external sense – like the absence of war and conflict – but in its internal sense – that happiness, joy, and serenity that comes from the discovery of the truth about and acceptance of who we are. We also look for it inside, too - inside our own hearts. The question of peace is not something limited to that which is serene and tranquil outside of us. Who among us is not pre-occupied by the instability and uncertainties in the world around us and the situation in which we live and find ourselves? The sad situation unfolding in Ukraine has many worried about global instability the growing preoccupation with illegal drugs and activities civility in public discourse the racist attacks in Buffalo a short time ago the cultural issues of the protection of life, especially in its vulnerable moments at conception and the end of life violence in our cities that seems to find a lot of blame but no concrete solutions the recent pandemic and a litany more suggest that there are preoccupations that tear at and unsettle us – not even so far away, but in our homes, our neighborhoods. ![]() Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” To introduce this beautiful gesture, we often refer to this passage of Scripture we heard proclaimed today: “Peace I leave with you My peace I give to you.” Then, the Gospel reference continues: “Not as the world gives do I give it to you. My brothers and sisters in Christ, whenever we gather for Eucharist, we typically exchange a greeting of peace – either by responding to “peace be with you” or through a concrete gesture called the Sign of Peace before the reception of Holy Communion.
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