“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives.”   The sixth Sunday of this Easter Season directs us to the message of the resurrection and the joy it brings. Today’s readings are about the effect of the abiding presence of God in His Church and of His indwelling in each one of us. Particularly, in today’s Gospel Jesus talks to us about Love, Peace and the Advocate – the Spirit of Truth. Our hearts were made for love and peace and will remain restless until we have them. The daily news reminds us each morning of how much our world needs this real peace and love. But love and peace are not things we can just wish into existence; no matter how many songs and poems we write about them, no matter how long we talk about them, we will not truly experience them until we follow the means Jesus describes in the Gospel. As with the new love commandment, this peace is also new. It is not sentimental, complacent, secure, or even conflict-free. It is new because Jesus says, “My peace” is a peace that comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable. It is a gift given not in the context of cozy table talk, but on the eve of His death when one friend has already become an enemy and left the companionship of the table, and Jesus is saying goodbyes to those who, with one exception, will fail to stand by Him during the time of His trial and death. He assures them that they should not be afraid but find new courage in His peace. This peace is shalom, the right relationship that flows from our loving union with God through Jesus and the Holy Spirit.