Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” The disciples rejoiced when they saw that it was the Lord. When Jesus appears to his disciples after his resurrection, the first thing he says to them is “Peace be with you.” Peace was obviously important to Jesus because it is how he greets his disciples after his resurrection.
Peace.
Peace is important to each of us. But peace is also elusive. It is elusive for nations, families and even within our very being. It is something we all try to achieve but few ever actually find.
There are many different definitions for peace. We all know the primary definition of “Peace” as peace between two warring nations. We seek peace between the nations of Ukraine and Russia. We seek peace in the Middle East between Israel and Hamas.
We also seek peace within our families and with our friends who are so often torn apart by harsh words, anger, and jealousy.
It takes a fair amount of research to get down to the sixth definition in Dictionary.com to define “Peace” as freedom of the mind from annoyance, distraction, anxiety, an obsession. Peace is tranquility; serenity; or quiet, calm. I would add freedom of the Spirit, deep within our hearts as well as the mind to this definition because this is the peace that Jesus means.
God made us in his image, so our soul searches for a relationship with God. Our soul will not rest until it finds that peace. The world desperately searches for that peace without finding it.
Many people seek that peace in numerous ways: a better job, a bigger house, a new expensive car, prestige, power, and fame. Some people seek that peace through addiction to sex, drugs, and acceptance by the “In” crowd. All of these lack the peace that only God can give us. So we keep searching, trying harder to get ahead and be happy. We will not find the peace that Jesus gives in the world.
In the fourteenth chapter of John, we read: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
There is a famous passage from St. Augustine’s Confessions in which Saint Augustine states “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.”
We search for peace everywhere but in God. And we wonder why we are unable to find peace. It’s a never ending cycle, viciously searching for something we cannot seem to find.
Jesus still comes to us today and says, “Peace be with you.” Often it is in the busyness of our day. Frequently it is in the quiet moments we spend with our Lord in prayer. Then he invites us to see the wounds in his hands, feet, and side showing us that it is really him every time we see a Crucifix just as he showed his disciples when he appeared to them.
Peace is important to our new Pope. Pope Leo XIV greeted the city of Rome and the world with these words at his first appearance as the Successor of Peter from the Central Loggia of St Peter’s Basilica: “Peace be with you all!” He continued: “Dear brothers and sisters, these are the first words spoken by the risen Christ, the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for God’s flock. I would like this greeting of peace to resound in your hearts, in your families, among all people, wherever they may be, in every nation and throughout the world. Peace be with you!
It is the peace of the risen Christ. A peace that is unarmed and disarming, humble and persevering. A peace that comes from God, the God who loves us all, unconditionally.”
Think about it. The first words spoken by the risen Christ! “Peace be with you!” We must share this peace with everyone we meet!
On the day of Pentecost, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to his disciples to teach them all things and to help them remember what he had told them. The Holy Spirit still comes to us today to lead us and help us make good decisions in our daily lives.
If we ask the Holy Spirit to help us and open our hearts to his leading, we will share the Good News that Jesus preached to the ends of the earth. The Holy Spirit will guide us and give us the words to say to a coworker about becoming a Christian.
It is easy to give and support oversea missions. It is definitely a lot harder to speak to a neighbor, a coworker, or a friend about God. Through prayer, the Holy Spirit will give us the courage and the words to lead that person to Christ.
Pentecost was the day that the Holy Spirit came down and appeared as tounges of fire above Our Blessed Mother and the disciples. The disciples went from hiding behind locked doors fearful for their lives, to boldly proclaiming God’s love and sharing the peace that only comes from God.
In today’s Gospel Jesus came and stood in the midst of his disciples and said to them, “Peace be with you.” Will we hide by keeping quiet about our faith or will we let the Holy Spirit give us strength and courage to share our faith with others? Are we too concerned about being liked by others that we remain silent rather than speak up for someone who is being put down? Whether it is on the playground or in the classroom, or in front of our manager because we are seeking a promotion?
The first words of the risen Christ were “Peace be with you!” Will I share this peace with everyone I meet?
