Pope: The more agitated we are, the more we need this prayer

"Jesus knows that on our own we are not able to cultivate peace, that we need help, that we need a gift."

“The more we feel our hearts are agitated, the more we sense we are nervous, impatient, angry inside, the more we need to ask the Lord for the Spirit of peace.”

The Pope said this on May 22, before leading the midday Regina Caeli, as he reflected on the Lord’s words: “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you.”

“Let us learn to say every day: ‘Lord, give me your peace, give me your Holy Spirit.’ This is a beautiful prayer. Shall we say it together?,” the Pope invited.

“Lord, give me your peace, give me your Holy Spirit.” And let us also ask this for those who live next to us, for those we meet each day, and for the leaders of nations.

Givers of peace

The Pope said we are called to give peace, as Jesus does.

But, he added, “Jesus knows that on our own we are not able to cultivate peace, that we need help, that we need a gift.”

Peace, which is our obligation, is first of all a gift of God. In fact, Jesus says: “My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you” (v. 27). What is this peace that the world does not know and the Lord gives us? This peace is the Holy Spirit, the same Spirit of Jesus. It is the presence of God in us, it is God’s “power of peace.”

Jesus, our peace

The Holy Father reflected how Jesus gives peace because he himself is full of peace. “No one can give peace unless that person is at peace,” he said.

Jesus bids farewell with words expressing affection and serenity. But he does so in a moment that is anything but serene. Judas has left to betray him, Peter is about to deny him, and almost everyone else to abandon him. The Lord knows this, and yet, he does not rebuke, he does not use severe words, he does not give harsh speeches. Rather than demonstrate agitation, he remains kind till the end.
There is a proverb that says you die the way you have lived. In effect, the last hours of Jesus’ life are like the essence of his entire life. He feels fear and pain, but does not give way to resentment or protesting. He does not allow himself to become bitter, he does not vent, he is not impatient. He is at peace, a peace that comes from his meek heart accustomed to trust. This is the source of the peace Jesus gives us. For no one can leave others peace if they do not have it within themselves. No one can give peace unless that person is at peace.