05 June 2025 – Pentecost Triduum Day 2 (Saint Boniface, Memorial)

by Rev Fr Martin Arlando

Today I want to speak to you about the theme that has been chosen, a gift that is often illusive in our busy lives, gifts of Peace and Serenity.

My dear friends, in a world filled with noise, with chaos and turmoil, finding that inner calm or inner peace can seem impossible. And yet, as followers of Christ we are called to embrace a peace that surpasses all understanding, a peace rooted in faith, in trust and surrender to God’s divine plan.

And so today’s Readings invite us to reflect deeply on the gift of PEACE that Jesus offers us. Peace that surpasses all understanding. A SERENITY rooted in our relationship with God.

And so we see in the First Reading, the Apostle Paul testifies boldly before King Agrippa, the Jewish Council and Roman Authorities about his mission to bring the message of salvation to all. Bearing witness to what he has seen and heard about – JESUS.

And so despite facing hardships and even oppositions, Saint Paul’s unwavering commitment stems from the peace he has found in his encounter with Christ. So despite facing accusations and threats, Saint Paul remained steadfast. His confidence was rooted not in his own strength but in the knowledge that Jesus was with him.

So when he boldly proclaimed the Gospel, he did so with a serenity that transcended fear, a peace rooted in faith. And his serenity is not the absence of trouble but a profound trust that God is with him. And so it shows about his relationship with Jesus.

So my dear friends, as a consolation because of his faith and trust in the Lord, Jesus appears to Paul during the night and says,

“Take courage. As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify for me in Rome.“

And so this divine reassurance exemplifies the serenity that comes from trusting God’s plan even when circumstances seem uncertain.

My dear friends, also in the Gospel on the other hand, Jesus prays for His disciples and all believers, asking them that they may be one united in love and truth so that the world may believe in Him. So Jesus desires our unity and peace rooted in the knowledge that we are loved by the Father just as how Jesus is loved by the Father.

And so this divine peace is meant to fill our hearts, guiding us through life’s challenges with serenity and confidence.

Let me illustrate further.

There was once a young woman named Maria who worked in a busy hospital. She was responsible for coordinating patient care and often under immense pressure. 

So one day during a hectic shift, a patient’s family became distressed and upset, demanding urgent attention. The chaos threatened to overwhelm everyone, including Maria. 

So despite the noise and tension, Maria took a moment to pause, breathe deeply and remember her purpose that is to serve with compassion.

So she approached the family calmly, listening patiently and offering reassurance. Her serenity calmed the family and soon the entire ward began to settle down.

 

So Maria’s inner peace rooted in her trust in God and her calling to serve transformed a moment of chaos into a moment of compassion and calmness.

So my dear friends, like Saint Paul we are called to witness to Christ’s peace in our daily lives even amid difficulties, even amid chaos.

Like Jesus praying for our unity and divine love, we are invited to seek oneness with God and with one another, allowing His serenity to fill our hearts.

And so in our personal struggles, in our conflicts or in the noise of daily life, let us remember that Christ’s peace is available to each and every one of us. It is a gift that sustains us, that guides us, that enables us to be witnesses of serenity in a troubled world.

And so in the Gospel of John, Jesus says,

“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.“

And so this peace is a gift freely offered is an invitation to rest in God’s grace.

Let me end with a story.

There was once a young woman who lived near a bustling city. She often felt overwhelmed by the noise, the demands and the endless rush of daily life.

So one day seeking clarity and peace, she traveled to a remote mountain retreat. And there, she found a pristine lake so calm and still that it reflected the sky perfectly.

And as she sat down by the lake, she noticed that the surface of the lake was like glass, undisturbed by even a gentle breeze.

And so she was curious and she asked a wise old monk nearby.

“How is it that this lake remains so peaceful and untouched by the wind?”

And the monk replied,

“The lake is still because it is grounded in the earth beneath it. When the wind blows, the surface may ripple temporarily but the lake’s depth holds the calm.”

“And so if you want to find peace like this lake, you must go beneath the surface into your heart and anchor yourself in God’s presence.”

 

My dear friends, this story reminds us that true peace comes from within. It is not dependent on external circumstances but it is rooted in our faith and trust in God’s loving care.

When we quiet our minds and when we quiet our hearts and when we surrender our worries to Jesus, we discover a serenity that sustains us through life’s storms.

And so my dear friends, I encourage you today to remember three things.

~ Take time each day to quiet your mind and to listen to God’s voice, especially through the scriptures.

Seek moments of silence and solitude to renew your spirit. I use to say the last thing that you should see before you sleep is the Word of God. And the first thing that you should see upon awaking from your sleep is the Word of God. And so keep it by your bed that when you read the Word of God and when you sleep, God consoles you and He leads you. And you will remind yourself again through the Word of God when you are awake the next morning.

~ The second thing is to trust in His plan even when circumstances seem chaotic and surrendering your worries to God really helps you in that journey.

~ And lastly, remember that serenity is a fruit of faith cultivated through prayer and surrender.

 

Remember that true peace is not the absence of trouble but the presence of Christ within us.

And so my dear friends, in our daily lives we may face challenges that threaten our peace. And yet, like Saint Paul we are called to trust in God’s presence and promises.

Jesus’ prayer assures us that our unity with Him brings serenity. A calm assurance that no matter the turmoil, God’s love remains steadfast always.

And so let us pray that we may open our hearts to the peace Christ offers. Let us pray for the grace to find peace amid life’s challenges and to become beacons of serenity and love in our communities.

May His serenity dwell within us so that we may be instruments of His love and unity in the world.

May the peace of Christ dwell richly in your hearts today and always.

And so as we celebrate this Eucharist, let us make that inward journey in our lives into our hearts and see what is it that is preventing us from experiencing God’s peace, God’s love and His serenity.

And let us lift this up, all that is hindering us and place them at the foot of Jesus that we may embrace Him fully and continue to love Him in the way He wants us to love one another.

We pray for this grace during this Mass.

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