21 May Peace Be With You (John 16:33) by Dr. Rich Reich
Welcome God now with this LIFE Group Devotion (FB), provided by LIFE Runners (FB). Leaders. Guest Authors. LIFE Minute radio.
“I have told you this so that you might have peace in Me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.”~ John 16:33 (full readings)
Rich’s Reflections: In today’s Gospel, Jesus warns His disciples that they will find trouble with the World, but will also find peace in Him. It seems contradictory that in being a disciple of Jesus we will find suffering, but we will also find peace. How can this be? It is through suffering that Jesus gives us peace. This is not to mean that we should be masochists and seek out suffering; however, it does mean that we should find comfort in that through our inevitable suffering in this World for being disciples of Christ (by suffering for the love of Jesus), we will find peace. There are two types of suffering: suffering because of our sins and suffering because we are Christians. By suffering through our sins we fall apart and become disintegrated (feel separated from God and our true purpose in life), but suffering for being Christians we become integrated (find true peace in the communion with Christ). Through this integration we develop a closer bond with Christ and our fellow Christians. By this process we find peace. May the peace of Christ be with you always.
* Dr. Rich Reich is the co-founder of the LIFE Group Devotions and the National LIFE Runners Team. He is married to Erica and lives in Satellite Beach, FL. Full bio.
Faith Challenge: Take comfort in your suffering for being a Christian, for you will find peace in your life.
Counter-Culture News: LSN, LifeNews, Priests for Life, AFA, Vatican, Project Rachel.
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Feast Day: St. Eugene de Mazenod
Faith Quote: “I do not believe that sheer suffering teaches. If suffering alone taught, all the world would be wise, since everyone suffers. To suffering must be added mourning, understanding, patience, love, openness and the willingness to remain vulnerable.” – Anne Morrow Lindbergh
Through Christ our Lord,
Rich
James 1:22
* Evangelize: Make room for unbelievers & re-evangelization of self, by way of prayer (relationship) and following Christ’s example of love (service/sacrifice/mercy). Mt 28:19.