Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you (John 14:27, RSV2CE)

We have all heard this, especially Catholics who hear it said at every Mass. But what does it mean? Does Jesus want us all to stop fighting each other—to stop all wars? Yes, Jesus wants that, but that’s not the kind of peace he is talking about.

Jesus talks about the peace we get from knowing he is walking with us. It’s the peace of knowing he is waiting for us to join him in heaven. Contentment comes to us from being rooted in God, knowing He is in control. No matter what happens in our lives, it’s the peace of knowing we will get through it.

I have talked about the little book I wrote about the message God sent me through a series of dreams, and how, after the last one, when I figured out what He was trying to tell me, the sense of peace that washed over me. I knew I only needed to trust Him and things would be okay. (Link to book is at the right of the screen)

When Jesus says he is leaving us with his peace, I think he is saying we should trust in Him, follow His example, and be ready to be with Him for eternity. He wants us all to know peace and share it with others.

I have found peace, and no matter what happens around me, I will always get through it. I know God is in control, and He has a plan for me. I don’t know what the plan is, but He does. I try to discern His will and do everything I can to do it.