Homily – Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Easter



Introduction
Today, it is just you and the Lord. No crowd, no noise—just your heart and His Word. And perhaps that is exactly how God wants to speak to you: personally, gently, directly. The readings today are not abstract; they are very real, very human. They speak about pain, perseverance, and peace.

A Life Story
A man once said, “I tried to follow God’s will, but Google Maps kept saying: ‘Recalculating… recalculating…’!”

Sometimes that is how life feels. You think you’re on the right path, then suddenly—bam!—something goes wrong. You get “stoned” by life’s problems: rejection, failure, misunderstanding. And you wonder, “Lord, did I take a wrong turn?”

The Word
In Acts 14:19–28, Paul is literally stoned and left for dead. Imagine that. He is doing God’s work, preaching the Gospel—and instead of applause, he gets rocks thrown at him. Yet, what does he do? He gets up. He goes back. And he continues encouraging the disciples, saying: “It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.”

Paul does not romanticise suffering; he faces it. He understands that faith is not about avoiding pain, but about remaining faithful through it.

Then in John 14:27–31a, Jesus speaks words that sound almost surprising in such a difficult context:
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you.”

Notice—Jesus does not say, “I remove all your problems.” He says, “I give you peace.” This peace is not the absence of trouble; it is the presence of God within the trouble. It is a peace that coexists with wounds, uncertainty, even fear—but does not collapse under them.

Three Practical Lessons for Today

  1. Get up again
    Like Paul, you may feel “stoned” by life—criticised, discouraged, tired. Today’s message is simple: get up again. You are not finished. God is not done with you.
  2. Encourage someone—even yourself
    Paul didn’t just survive; he strengthened others. Sometimes the person you need to encourage today is yourself. Speak life into your own heart: “I will not give up.”
  3. Choose Christ’s peace, not the world’s comfort
    The world says, “Peace comes when everything is perfect.” Jesus says, “Peace comes when I am with you.” Even today, in your current situation, you can receive that peace.

Inspirational Quote
“Peace is not the absence of storms, but the presence of Christ in the boat.”

Conclusion
Today’s Word is honest: there will be hardships. But it is also hopeful: there will be peace. You may feel knocked down, but you are not defeated. You may feel unsettled, but you are not alone. Christ walks with you—and His peace is already within your reach.

Prayer
Lord Jesus,
You know my struggles, my wounds, and the stones life has thrown at me.
Give me the strength to rise again when I fall.
Fill my heart with Your peace—the kind the world cannot give.
Help me to trust You, even when the road is hard.
And make me a source of encouragement to others.
Stay with me, Lord, today and always.
Amen.

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