By Revd Catharine Hughes, Presbyter, Manchester Circuit
Reading: John 16 v. 33
Notes:
Peace always seems such a marvellous thing. My sister tells a wonderful story of a time that she and a friend were chatting over coffee in the kitchen while their children played. In a pause in conversation they noticed that things had gone quiet – there was peace in the house. On going through to the living room they understood why: the children had given up running around and were concentrating very hard on drawing on the leather sofa with felt-tip pens.
The peace Jesus offers isn’t superficial peace that covers up difficulties: it is a deep-rooted peace that dwells deep within the heart and soul. Jesus’ words in John 16.31 come just before he was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemene. These words were not a blessing but a promise. Jesus promises peace to the disciples despite all the trouble that will come their way, despite the grief they will endure, despite the persecution they will face. ‘Hold on to my teachings and remain in me’: in this way the disciples would have courage to face all that was to come.
Why does our faith in Jesus bring peace? ‘Take courage!’ he says, ‘I have conquered the world.’ The baby we worship at Christmas became the ‘risen, conquering Son’*. The Life-Light of Christ offers us a way to live that enables us to stand strong and tall in the face of difficulties. It does not deny there will be problems, but gives courage and strength to face the world, each and every day, with deep-seated peace in our hearts.
Wonder:
Hold your hands open loosely on your lap.
If there is a particular issue or difficulty you are facing at this time, or if there is a world situation that is troubling you, hold it there before God.
Breathe slowly and deeply, allowing Jesus’ peace to fill you.
Hear his words: Take courage! I have conquered the world.
Leave those troubles with God, and leave this place in peace.
Prayer:
Deep peace of the running wave to you.
Deep peace of the flowing air to you.
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you.
Deep peace of the shining stars to you.
Deep peace from the Son of Peace to you.
Amen.
Gaelic blessing (adapted)
*Thine be the glory, STF 313