We hear in the first reading that the new “community of believers was of one heart and mind.” Does that sound like our communities today? Are we focused on the best for everyone or are we like the other empires of the past, only concerned about expanding our possessions or political power at the expense of anyone who gets in our way.
The second reading reminds us that if we do, in fact, love God, we will keep his commandments. How many of us claim to love God, yet want to do things our way, even if it violates what God has commanded us?
In the Gospel Jesus says, “Peace be with you.” Do we really want God’s peace, or do we want peace on our terms. There is an old reference to “Pax Romana”, a period of peace and prosperity. Yet for whom? Not for the slaves made of the conquered people. Not for the people whose lives were dominated by the imperial armies of Rome. Not for the people who died defending their homeland from a foreign army coming to seize and take their land and possessions. The peace Jesus offers is a very different kind of peace, the kind that comes from knowing we are following God’s commandments and loving God as we are challenged to do. That is a different kind of peace. This Easter season let strive to observe the peace God offers us as we love him and our neighbor.
Countenance of God 