In this morning’s text, John 14:23-39, Jesus tells his disciples that “his peace” is different than the peace the world gives them. So Rev. Cari picks up that distinction in this sermon, and explores it.

Thanks to Kate Bowler, she describes two North American “cultural scripts” that Jesus’ peace contradicts: the American insistence on Independence, and the Canadian version of “mild-mannered niceness.”

Then she turns to the text itself, examines the “home” of mutual love Jesus refers to throughout chapter 14, and refutes the other North American founding lies of colonialism and white supremacy.

Finally, remembering a sermon on this text by the Very Rev. Clarke MacDonald, she defines Jesus’ peace not as “freedom from disturbance” but the presence of God, which can actually be very disturbing. God in Christ disturbs injustice, encourages mutual love, and invites us into that same life-giving presence.