Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love is everlasting. (Psalm 117)
After the highs and excitement of finding the empty tomb and shining angels asking the women why they were looking for the living among the dead, the bewildered Twelve were seeking sanctuary to assimilate these events when Jesus himself came and stood among them.
This familiar and very important account of Jesus’ post-Resurrection appearance has two remarkable features. When he first appears he calms them by saying: “Peace be with you,” before showing them the wounds in his hands and his side. Then, before giving them their divine commission and making them Apostles, which means “sent”, Jesus once again bids them to stay calm and be at peace.
“Eight days later,” Jesus appears again and, before he reproaches Doubting Thomas, he once more confers his peace. This is his message for us, 20 centuries later. “Peace be with you.”
Despite the unrest and ills that daily confront us, both from afar and closer at hand, we have the Risen Christ with us, who reassures us that He is with us always and blesses us with his peace. Believe in him, call on him, and he will hear.
