A peace that the world cannot give

 

In the Vatican archives is a report of a homily given by Pope Francis during mass in the chapel of Santa Marta on Tuesday, 16 May 2017. It was based on the readings of today. It starts off by saying "Today's world offers a 'tranquil, artificial and anaesthetised peace' in which anyone can put up his own 'do not disturb' sign to create his own personal version of tranquility, yet this is not the true peace that Jesus offers: this thought lay at the heart of Pope Francis' reflection". Francis went on to say, "The peace that Jesus offers is a 'real peace' because it is rooted in the Cross, and therefore enables one to overcome all of life's many daily tribulations, including suffering and illness, without falling into mere stoicism or playing the martyr."

 

I remember the time I was the first to be led into a police cell in Suva's Central Police Station back in 1988. That day I was arrested along with a group who had organised a prayer gathering in Sukuna Park in central Suva, the capital of Fiji. We were praying for the restoration of democracy following the coups in 1987. Anyway, I recall being led into this empty cell. I sat down on the bare concrete floor and sensed a peace like I'd never sensed before or since. It came from the simple sense of believing that I was where I should be as a missionary disciple of Jesus Christ. Later I would realise I was in deep trouble; but at that moment I had entered into the heart of the pain and the reality of the people of Fiji. All I sensed was that this was exactly where I was supposed to be. Eight other men would eventually join me in that cell and we would eventually be charged along with 9 women. We only spent one night in prison. But the trial went on for 9 months and, at the end, we were given absolute discharge without conviction. Through it all, I will still never forget that immense sense of peace as I sat alone on the floor of that prison cell, a peace that the world could not give. Each year, on May 14, I remember this day and the people with whom I was gaoled, many of whom became lifelong friends.