The Cathedral of St. Philip
Atlanta, Georgia
Youth Sunday
"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you".
Upon reading this scripture I never realized how important or prevalent the words would
become in my life. I have been anxiously analyzing it for quite some time so I could think of
something REALLY meaningful and profound to say today.
But as I read over it more and more I realized that the scripture itself is the most
profound thing that could be said. Essentially, we could follow this very passage and understand
our purpose in life as humans.
I remember this one time when I was younger, I was sitting in my 5th grade home room
class. My teacher Ms. Haas announced that the student council elections would be taking place
soon. Anyone who wanted to run needed to sign up, choose a position, and then make a speech.
I looked over at my best friend at the time, Charles Williamson, and we both decided that
it would be a good idea to participate. Since only fifth graders were able to run for office, we
thought it would be the coolest and most mature thing to do.
As I was trying to decide on which position of office I should take, I came to the conclusion
that Vice President suited me best. It was a powerful position and did not require much public
speaking. I wasn't and still am not too fond of getting up in front of people. Ironic, I know,
considering what I am doing now.
Nevertheless, I went home and told my mom that I had signed up for Student Council and
that I planned to run for vice president. She said, "Wow that's wonderful, but why don't you run
for President?" I told her that the President was really important and that who ever it was going
to be would have to speak at numerous school events in front of large audiences. I was simply too
afraid to handle that.
She told me not to be afraid, and that I was more than capable of being the fifth grade
class president. So I listened to her since moms are usually right, especially today.
All that night I worked on my speech and the next day presented it in front of a lot of
judges and what seem to be a never ending sea of eyes starring back at me. Much of like what
I'm looking at now. Soon, everyone running had finished their speeches and we all waited for the
votes to come in. Much to my amazement I was elected President.
A small victory in my life, but I believe it holds the main message that God is trying to
convey to us in today's Gospel. God is saying "Do not be afraid in times of fear and uncertainty".
God sent Jesus to teach us this truth. Jesus tells us that we do not have to be afraid
because we have been given the Word to follow. If we listen and understand that Word which he
is trying to teach us, then we can ultimately gain spiritual enlightenment.
Jesus tells us that we must understand what he has taught and listen to the Holy Spirit
when we forget. I believe that the Holy Spirit is an abstract idea that Jesus used so that in His
death, we might better understand the Word of God He was trying to teach.
The Word of God is Jesus' simple and main message. And that message is LOVE. That
message is to live your life through love in EVERY sense of the word.
To demonstrate love in all your relationships, whether it be with a significant other,
family, friends, a complete stranger, enemies, and most importantly, yourself. God is giving us a
cheat sheet to the test of life through this message. How lucky is that. I have final exams for the
next three days and I wish I had a cheat sheet like that.
So I tell you this: that simply following this message can be the best way to show your
faith. Maybe we forget or don't even realize that something so simple is truly the best way to
show God that we believe. Especially, if we are struggling in what we believe and what our
purpose might be.
Now don't get me wrong, I know it's not easy. Especially in the hectic stress of our
everyday lives; we tend to forget. I do it all the time. My family and friends can surely attest to
that. But much like my running for Student Council President in the fifth grade, it is best for us
not to be afraid of what might happen. We need to try our very best. For God has given us the
tools to make the path, and all we have to do is make it and walk it.
All we really need is the faith in love, in each other, and ourselves. Then the struggle
known as life, to that Home or the eternal peace which God has left us, is made easier.
believe that if we follow this simple truth, no matter who we are or where we come from,
it will lead to a self realization, ultimately leading to a spiritual enlightenment and internal
peace. Amen.
