Almost everyone I know likes to receive gifts. We get them usually at Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries; mother’s day and father’s day. Sometimes we get them for no reason at all. Surprise gifts are often something special. Most people say that the best gifts of all aren’t anything material: like the gift of love and kindness, an unexpected smile, or a simple “How are you really doing today?”; the gift of a listening ear or a needed hug can brighten someone’s day. Gifts come in all shapes and forms and the best are the ones really needed are freely given.
    In today’s Gospel reading Jesus gives the apostles a valuable and well needed gift. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you”. Peace was the last thing those apostles were feeling at the time. They were still holed up in that upper room, confused, frightened, and in turmoil. Their hope had come crashing down and their future was uncertain to say the least. Jesus knew what they needed and in His great love for them, He came with that gift of peace.
    But He is quick to add that it is not the kind of peace the world gives. It is not the absence of conflict among nations or between people; conflicts on the outside. His peace is an inner peace that reflects St. Paul’s words: For those who love God all things work together for the good. We know that the apostles went on from there to experience many trials and tribulations in those early years of the church. But Jesus reminds them that whatever may come their way, inner peace is had by trusting in God and holding onto His promise.
    Jesus offers us that same Peace once again today. We look around our world and we see war and terrorism, violence and suffering. But that is not the kind of peace Jesus is talking about. He promises us an inner peace whereby we are at one with ourselves; whereby we know that we belong to God and because Jesus rose from the dead, He transforms even the darkness of death into the hope of new life.
    God has given us many unexpected gifts as he did for His apostles but the gift of peace is one gift that never wears out.