Jesus said to his disciples:
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
Not as the world gives do I give it to you.
Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.

I can’t say it better than Pope Francis did in Rome last Sunday in reflecting on today’s gospel passage. So today I’m happy to step aside and let the pope address FFF readers.

In today’s Gospel we hear the beginning of Jesus’ so-called “Farewell Discourse.” They are the words He addresses to the disciples at the end of the Last Supper, just before facing the Passion. In this dramatic moment, Jesus began by saying: “Let not your hearts be troubled”. He says it also to us, in the dramas of life. But what can one do not to have one’s heart troubled, because the heart does get anxious?

The Lord points out two remedies for anxiety. The first is: “Have faith in Me”.  It seems to be somewhat theoretical, abstract advice. However, Jesus wishes to say something precise to us. He knows that in life the worst anxiety, agitation, is born from a feeling of not making it, of feeling alone and without points of reference in the face of what is happening. This anguish, in which difficulty is added to difficulty, cannot be overcome on one’s own. We are in need of Jesus’ help and, therefore, Jesus asks us to have faith in Him, namely, not to lean on ourselves but on Him, because freedom from anxiety passes through entrustment. To entrust  ourselves to Jesus, to make the “leap.” And this is freedom from anxiety. And Jesus is risen and alive precisely to be always by our side. So we can say to Him: Jesus I believe You are risen and are by my side. I believe You listen to me. I bring to You what is disturbing me, my cares: I have faith in You and I entrust myself to You.”

An Invitation:

• Which word or phrase in Pope Francis’ reflection above brought most peace to your troubled heart. Remember this and repeat it as a personal encouragement from Jesus to you often over the next few hours.
• Pray to Sleep (a ten minute bedtime audio reflection) at this link.
• Today’s readings at this link.
• Send your prayer requests to john@fff.org.nz. Each day I will add the initials of those we pray for to this list. Take a moment, perhaps 15 seconds, to pray in whatever way you choose for those whose initials appear below, and don’t hesitate to send repeat requests for prayer.

Let us pray today especially for: 
JMT,  KJ,   MD,  PM, MC, DP,  KD, AD,  BA,  RF,  MC,  PR,  JH,  GPB,
For members of family return to God. Prostate cancer stage 5.  That I will have a permanent job by June in accordance to God’s will. Suffering recent marriage break-up. Healing of ongoing kidney infection, Healing of long-term illness,  

Monday:  AD, NF, PR, GPB,  BA, MA (RIP), LM,  SB,  MO’D,  S&SW,  DMcA,  SS, VM, PM, NM, 

Sunday:   BB,  BR, RM, IW,  BL,  AM, JM, SM, JH, CSL, BS, AW,  MR, SR, JC, LR, JF, AB, AB, MB, CB, LJ, AF, JB, CB, SB, MB (RIP), MR, MH, SR, RS, MTM, OH, MM (RIP),  SGS.  MC,  EH,  MAC, NDM,  JG, SL, JD, 

Friday:   AJ,  MLJ,  SkJ, MS (RIP), LMP,  GRJP,  JF, IC, RF,  JC,  LHG, LKG, FMG, GMG,  GC, AW,  DM,  MM, PM, ML (RIP), JMC, PN, KM, JJ, MJ, AWS, HGTJ, JHWW, HJPM, MB (RIP), MD, DN, QRPTT, LTP, NVVO, PEGMW, MC, LM & JM, BM, BP, CP, PP, CH, NF, RJH, GOJ, JMC, LH, JS, RMc, MLJ, EL (RIP)

Thursday:   AJ,  MLJ,  SkJ, MS (RIP), LMP,  GRJP,  JF, IC, RF,  JC,  LHG, LKG, FMG, GMG,  GC, AW,  DM,  MM, PM, ML (RIP), JMC, PN, KM, JJ, MJ, AWS, HGTJ, JHWW, HJPM, MB (RIP), MD, DN, QRPTT, LTP, NVVO, PEGMW, MC, LM & JM, BM, BP, CP, PP, CH, NF, RJH, GOJ, JMC, LH, JS, RMc, MLJ, EL (RIP)SS, BK, JKBP, CP, PP, BW, HT (RIP), SL, AW, DM, MM, PM, LH, TN, SF, SC, FM, T&TT, AR, HF, RF, JM, R&B, MC, MD,

Wednesday:   BH, SGS, JJHB, SJB, BB, MD, MB,  JT,  RF,  SS,  SS,  PB,  SD,  JR,  SQ,  JL, MCSM,  PR,  MJ,  MD,  

Tuesday:   SM,  PR,  MJ,  MD, 

LECTIO DIVINA FOR MONDAY OF EASTER WEEK V (11 May 2020)

Pictures received of any churches that have been significant in your faith journey will be included as the images on the daily Lectio Divina links. Send to john@fff.org.nz.

Today’s church:   The bell tower from St. Anthony’s Church in Cheviot, Hurunui.

Tuesday Easter Week V (15 minutes)