Homily for the Sixth Sunday of the Year May 25, 2025

There is a story related to the Old Testament tradition concerning the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt. Picture the scene of the Israelite nation led by Moses, fleeing from slavery and bondage. Their Exodus is stopped on the shores of the Red Sea and the people are glancing back over their shoulders. God has promised them liberation and freedom. They know that, and they believe it, but now they are standing on the shore of the sea and Pharaoh’s army is in hot pursuit.

Moses raises his arms and voice in prayer for God to lead the people to safety. He gestures with his staff over the water, but nothing happens. Indeed, nothing happens until the first person actually steps into the water and shows, through that simple act, that he has faith in God’s promise of salvation. When that first step of courage is taken, the sea parts, and the people cross over into freedom and liberation.

In today’s gospel reading Jesus gives us a wonderful gift. He says, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you.” He also qualifies the gift: “Not as the world gives do I give to you.” And he suggests that this gift of peace should have a remarkable effect in our lives: “Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.”

But we are living in a world in which we find lots of troubles, lots of reasons to be afraid. It seems that, each day, the news gets worse for one group or another. It feels as if everyone is at war with just about everyone else. Immigrants, colleges and universities, people relying on Medicare, Medicaid, food stamps, people wanting their neighborhoods to be free of violence…and on and on it goes. We’re being robbed of a feeling of peace.

So what should we do? Let’s imagine that we’re driving a car that runs on peace. And we notice that the tank is almost empty. Up ahead, there are some peace stations where we can refill the tank. One is labeled “The Congress of the United States.” A second, “The White House.” The third, “Jesus Christ, the Conqueror of Sin and Death.” Oh, I almost forgot, there’s a fourth that says, “Lottery.”

Jesus says he gives peace, his peace—a peace the world cannot give, or take away. He says we should not let our hearts be troubled or afraid. It’s a peace based on a right-relationship with God. If we don’t feel that peace, it may mean that we’re filling up at another station, expecting the world to give a gift it cannot give.

Let us consciously and persistently turn to Jesus. Let us find healing in his promises: Do not let your hearts be troubled. Have faith in God, who knows what we need before we even ask. Seek his kingdom, and his righteousness, do his will and you will find peace.

During this Easter Season we are reminded that Jesus Christ is our Savior—not Congress, not the White House, not the Lottery. If you feel anxious or afraid, seek the peace that only God can give. Seek the peace that the world cannot give. Be brave! Take that first step into the water of God’s love and protection.