When we think of the word "peace," we often imagine a quiet garden, a still lake at dawn, or a silent church during a mid-week afternoon. We think of the absence of noise, the absence of conflict, and the absence of stress. But if that is the only peace we know, what happens when the wind starts to howl? What happens when our health fails, our bank accounts dwindle, or our hearts break?

Today is Monday, May 18, 2026, the Monday of the Seventh Week of Easter. As we move closer to the great feast of Pentecost, the Church’s liturgy brings us face-to-face with a different kind of peace. It isn’t the peace of a quiet garden; it’s the peace of a person who stands unmoved in the middle of a hurricane.

As we reflect on the life of Pope Saint John I and the powerful readings from Acts and the Gospel of John, we are invited to discover a courage that doesn't come from our own strength, but from the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

The Gift of the Spirit: More Than a Concept

In our first reading today (Acts 19:1-8), we find Saint Paul in Ephesus. He encounters a group of disciples and asks them a direct question: "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?"

Their response is almost comical in its honesty: "We have never even heard that there is a Holy Spirit."

They had been baptized with the baptism of John the Baptist, a baptism of repentance, but they hadn't yet experienced the "fresh fire" of the Christian life. Paul explains that John’s baptism was meant to point toward Jesus. Once they are baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus, Paul lays his hands on them, and the Holy Spirit comes upon them with power. They begin to speak in tongues and prophesy.

For many of us, the Holy Spirit can feel like a "concept" or a theological footnote. We know the Father and we know the Son, but the Spirit often feels like the "forgotten" person of the Trinity. Yet, the book of Acts shows us that the Spirit is a presence that changes everything. The Spirit is the one who gives us the words to speak when we are afraid, the strength to stand when we are weary, and the peace that defies logic.

As we look toward Pentecost, we have to ask ourselves: Have we invited the Holy Spirit into the "troubles" of our daily lives? Or are we trying to manage the storm on our own? The Spirit isn't just for the apostles 2,000 years ago; He is for us today.

Honest Trouble, Real Peace

If the first reading shows us the power of the Spirit, today’s Gospel (John 16:29-33) gives us the context in which that power is most needed.

Jesus is speaking to His disciples during the Last Supper. He is being incredibly honest with them. He doesn't offer a "prosperity gospel" where following Him means a life of ease. Instead, He tells them plainly: "In the world you will have trouble."

The Greek word used for "trouble" here is thlipsis, which literally means "pressure" or "crushing." Jesus is acknowledging that life in a fallen world is heavy. There are pressures from the outside, persecution, social unrest, and injustice, and there are pressures from the inside, grief, anxiety, and doubt.

But notice what He says immediately afterward: "But take courage, I have conquered the world."

This is the central paradox of the Christian life. We are promised trouble, yet we are commanded to have peace. How is that possible? It’s possible because Christian peace isn't the absence of trouble; it's the presence of Christ in the middle of it.

When Jesus says He has "conquered the world," He isn't talking about a military victory. He is talking about the victory of love over hate, life over death, and grace over sin. Because He has already won the war, the "battles" we face today, no matter how scary they look, cannot take away our ultimate security in Him.

Saint John I: A Witness of Courage

Today, the Church also celebrates the feast of Pope Saint John I. If you want to see what "peace in the storm" looks like in history, look no further than his life.

Saint John I served as Pope from 523 to 526. It was a time of immense political and religious tension. The king of Italy at the time was Theodoric the Great, an Arian. For those who need a quick history refresher, Arians believed that Jesus was a great being, but not fully God. This was a direct challenge to the heart of the Catholic faith.

Theodoric grew paranoid that the Eastern Roman Emperor was plotting against him. He essentially forced Pope John I to travel to Constantinople to negotiate on his behalf. It was a mission John didn’t want to take, and it was fraught with danger. John was frail and elderly, yet he obeyed. He was the first Pope to ever travel to Constantinople.

When John returned, having failed to meet all of Theodoric’s impossible demands, the king threw him into prison in Ravenna. John died there shortly after, succumbing to the mistreatment and the harsh conditions of his captivity.

To the world, John’s life ended in defeat. He died in a dark cell, far from home, under the thumb of a heretical king. But to the Church, John died a conqueror. He didn't compromise the faith to save his own skin. He had the peace of Christ even while he was in chains. He is a beautiful witness of what it looks like to "take courage" when the world brings its worst.

Conquering Through Love

Jesus’ victory, which Saint John I shared in, is a victory of love. This is a crucial distinction for us as we navigate our own storms. When we feel attacked or pressured, our natural human instinct is to fight back with the world's weapons, anger, bitterness, or retaliation.

But Jesus shows us a different way. He conquered the world by laying down His life. He conquered the world by forgiving those who nailed Him to the Cross.

Every time you choose to pray for someone who has hurt you, you are sharing in Christ’s victory. Every time you choose to be honest when it would be easier to lie, you are conquering the world. Every time you choose to trust God despite a terrifying diagnosis or a lost job, you are witnessing to the peace that Saint John I carried into his prison cell.

Bringing Courage to the Missions: Our Connection to SPA

This message of courage isn't just a personal spiritual exercise; it is the heartbeat of our work here at The Pontifical Mission Societies, specifically through the Society of St. Peter the Apostle (SPA).

At this very moment, there are thousands of seminarians and religious sisters in mission territories who are living out the Gospel of John 16:33. They are studying and serving in places where "trouble" is a daily reality.

In parts of Africa and Asia, our students are discerning their vocations in the shadow of extreme poverty, political instability, and even active persecution. They know exactly what "pressure" feels like. Yet, like the disciples in Ephesus, they are there to bring the Holy Spirit to their people. They are choosing to stay in the storm so they can be the presence of Christ for others.

When you support the Society of St. Peter the Apostle, you are providing more than just tuition or food. You are providing the "encouragement" these future priests and sisters need to stay firm. You are helping them become the leaders who, like Pope Saint John I, will witness to the truth that Christ has indeed conquered the world. You are building a bridge of peace into some of the most troubled corners of our globe.

Reflection: Where is Your Storm?

As we reflect on these readings and the life of Saint John I, let’s bring it home to our own hearts.

• Where do you need to hear the words "Take courage" today? Is it in a relationship, a financial worry, or a struggle with your own health?
• How can you invite the Holy Spirit to bring peace into a specific "trouble" you are facing right now?
• Are you trying to find peace by changing your circumstances, or are you seeking the peace of Christ within your circumstances?

Remember, the Spirit who came upon the disciples in Ephesus is the same Spirit who dwelt in Saint John I, and He is the same Spirit dwelling in you through your Baptism.

Conclusion: Lean into His Peace

Jesus tells us today: "In me you may have peace."

He doesn't say "In a perfect life you may have peace" or "In a stress-free world you may have peace." He says in me. Our peace is found in a relationship, not an environment.

Let’s lean into that peace today. Whether you are in a season of calm or a season of heavy storms, know that the Victor is with you.

Thank you for your incredible heart for the missions. Your prayers and your generosity allow the Light of Christ to shine in places where the storms are the fiercest. Please keep our seminarians and religious students in your prayers today, asking that they might be filled with the courage of Saint John I as they bring Christ’s peace to the ends of the earth.

For more information on how you can support our mission, please visit our website at www.fraugustinedejidada.org.

Saint John I, pray for us!