A Peace the World Cannot Give

March 2020 · Ministry News

“I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you.” John 14

What must the disciples have thought when Jesus spoke these words? Jesus, their friend, teacher, and Lord is telling them he will only be with them for a little while longer. I’m sure they looked at each other confused and perhaps even afraid. With the advent of COVID-19, fear is something gripping us as a community, a nation, and a world. We have been reminded, at least I have, that we live in a world of uncertainty. Schools are closing, our economic markets are struggling, and even sports events and entire seasons (which have often given us relief during times of unrest in the past) have been delayed or discontinued. It’s almost as if we are the disciples, looking around at each, with fear on our faces.

Thankfully, the gospel does not stop with uncertainty and fear. Instead, Jesus ends the good news with a promise. A promise to send the Advocate- the Holy Spirit. Just as the disciples were not left helpless so we are given the same thing they received- God’s presence in our lives through the gift of the Holy Spirit. As humans, we have gone through frights and fears for millennia. What’s more is that there are those on the margins of our society who live in fear every day. The answer to our fears is the peace of Holy Spirit, which is a peace this world cannot give. As we continue on through difficult days ahead, may the Holy Spirit give us peace and remind us of all that Jesus has said to us.

The peace of the Lord be always with you, Seth

The Rev. Seth M. Walley is a Senior Advisor with The Saint Francis Foundation and the priest associate at Christ Episcopal Church in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.