Were the Acts account written today, the headline might be “Controversial Apostle Stoned and Left for Dead.” But Paul is not the focus here. The focus is on the work of the Holy Spirit in and through Paul. Like the voice of a mother telling a child who has fallen, “Hop up. You’re okay,” Luke says Paul “got up and entered the city.” It’s shocking to me, but Paul goes right back to the same city and the same people who tried to murder him. Then he and Barnabas travel on to other cities, preaching, praying, fasting, anointing, opening “the door of faith.”

In today’s Gospel Jesus tells his disciples, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.” Jesus speaks knowing that he will soon be arrested, beaten, and crucified. He speaks knowing Judas, his betrayer, is listening. He speaks knowing that those who follow him will suffer, too, but he will suffer first. Throughout his ordeal Jesus will keep his face turned toward the Father. He will ask for help from the Father. He will cry out in pain to the Father. He will surrender his spirit to the Father. Like the child who turns away from the sight of the doctor’s needle and fixes upon the face of her mother, Jesus fixes on the Father’s face and finds peace.

The peace Jesus offers, and the peace Paul received, cannot be found anywhere but in relationship with God. Once found, it is strengthened in relationship with our brothers and sisters. It is “when the disciples gathered around him” that Paul rises. It is a relationship neither suffering nor death can destroy. Facing execution, Jesus promises, “I will come back to you.” I remember making a similar promise to a sobbing toddler: “Mama’s coming back. I won’t leave you.” Each time the promise is kept, the child grows in faith and her fear subsides. So we pray with the whole Church for “constancy in faith and hope, that we may never doubt the promises of which we have learned from you.”

Melissa Musick Nussbaum

Melissa Musick Nussbaum is a religious educator, speaker, and the author of numerous books, including The Catholic Catalogue: A Field Guide to the Daily Acts That Make Up a Catholic Life. Visit her website, Wonder, Love and Praise, at melissamusick.com.