by Rev Don Schatz

God’s gift in confusing times.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
John 14:27; New International Version

Kyrie Eleison.
Lord Have Mercy.
Christe Eleison.
Christ Have Mercy.
Kyrie Eleison.
Lord Have Mercy.

Peace.

I remember some lines from a movie, where a dad is talking to his adult son.  “There is a minute when everything is good and right.  Your kids are all grown up, on their own, and doing okay.  Business is good.  Your wife is happy.  For that one minute, you have peace.”  It can feel like that on occasion. You know…that ‘real life’ (‘Real Housewives’ aside!) is more about something else, less about peace, and it’s not because people are just parading their stupidity, as they do on so many ‘reality’ TV shows.  (You don’t watch reality TV?  Good!)  ‘Stuff’ comes at you from all sides, and more often than not things don’t seem so peaceful.

That’s what it was like for the disciples the evening Jesus spoke the words of John 14:27.  He was talking to the disciples at a confusing time.  It was more than a minute!  You don’t have to live in the 21^st century to have a too-busy life, stresses and strains, disappointments, experience betrayal, or be confused to the point of exhausted consternation and hopelessness.

To need peace.

What do you need peace for, or about, right now in your life?  Where does peace need to be for you at this moment?  Listen to the voice of Jesus, speaking straight at your soul.  Pray the Kyrie.  Peace, Lord, Peace.  Kyrie Eleison.  Peace, Lord, Peace.  Christe Eleison.  Peace, Lord, Peace.  Kyrie Eleison.

We pray:

Peace, Lord, Peace.
We long for your peace.
Lord let us be
Your peace in the world.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, CO