Title: Peace of Mind and Heart

Theme: Jesus gives us peace of mind and heart.  6th Sunday of Easter, Yr. C

Object: A Teddy Bear

Scripture: "I am leaving you with a gift-peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid. Remember what I told you: 'I am going away, but I will come back to you again.'" John 14:27-28a (NLT)

I must confess that when I was a child, I was afraid of the dark. At the end of the day, when it was time to turn out the lights and go to bed, I wanted to know that I was not alone in the darkness. That is where my Teddy Bear came to the rescue. Somehow, the darkness was not so frightening with "Teddy" in the bed with me.

Have you ever been afraid? Of course you have. We are all afraid at times. It is nothing to be ashamed of -- even adults are sometimes afraid. Some of us may be afraid of the dark.  Some may be afraid of the thunder and lightening that comes with a storm.  Here are just a few of the things that people are afraid of: bugs, bees, snakes, heights, dentists, doctors, dogs, cats, mice, and germs.

When Jesus told his disciples that he was going to return to his Father, they were afraid.  What would happen to them?  Would the enemies recognize them as his followers and try to harm them?

Jesus knew that his disciples were afraid and he offered these words to comfort them.  "I am leaving you with a gift - peace of mind and heart.  Don't be troubled or afraid.  Remember what I have told you: 'I am going away, but I will come back to you again.  I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me.'"

These words were a great comfort to his disciples and they are a great comfort to us today.  When Jesus returned to his Father heaven, he asked the Father to send the Holy Spirit to comfort his disciples until the day when he returned.  That includes you and me!  What a wonderful gift Jesus has given us -- peace of mind and heart.  We no longer have anything to fear.  Whenever we find ourselves in the dark or in the storms of life, Jesus is with us.

Father, we thank you for the Holy Spirit who guides us and calms our fears.  We also thank you for the promise that one day we will be in Heaven with Jesus.  In his name we pray, amen.