What is true peace? It is the peace that comes from God, the peace that springs from His heart. Jesus put it this way:
“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.” (John 14:27)
These were also the first words of the Risen One to His disciples: “Peace be with you!” (John 20:19). In saying this, He expresses what applies to all people.
How different it is when the Son of God comes to people and promises them the peace of God. When this peace is received, it pierces the darkness of ignorance, touches and opens closed hearts, and dispels fears. God desires to give His peace to humanity. It is the peace that the world cannot give (cf. John 14:27), which, in harmony with truth and love, offers true life to humanity as an infinite gift of His goodness. Jesus comes to His own as the Risen One. He comes as the Victor, for He has disempowered Satan, conquered death, and redeemed humanity on the cross. “Peace be with you!”—It is His peace!
May this peace, Your peace, O Risen One, finally spread throughout the whole earth. The absence of violence is not enough; we need Your peace. For this, we need You!
Then Jesus showed them His hands and His side (John 20:27). They were to be absolutely certain that it was Him, so that the reality of His Resurrection might fully sink in. It is truly their Lord standing before them—the One they have followed, for whom they have left everything. There is no longer any doubt. Their joy can now burst forth—the joy that it is He, their beloved Lord, and that He lives!
They are now to carry His peace to all people. Everyone is to know that our Heavenly Father loves them and wants to give them eternal life. All people are to know that God has prepared the way for them in His Son, so that they may repent, live, and return home to Him. The disciples will be the true messengers of peace, sent out to bring the message of salvation to people as they follow their Lord. Just as Jesus Himself was sent by the Father, so too are they sent.
Jesus breathes on them so that they may receive the Holy Spirit (John 20:22). The Holy Spirit will guide, strengthen, and empower them to proclaim the Gospel.
The Apostle Thomas still needed to be convinced. The testimony of the other disciples had not been enough for him to come to faith in the Resurrection. He wanted proof; he wanted to convince himself. The Lord did not praise him for wanting proof and for not believing the testimony of the other disciples. Even his wonderful confession, “My Lord and my God!” was met with a qualifying comment from the Lord: “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.” (John 20:28–29).
The Lord thus points out to us that we do not need to seek proof for our faith, but should simply open ourselves to the supernatural light that He gives us.
We do not, therefore, need to see in order to believe. Let us, then, ask the Lord above all for a strong faith, so that we too may be witnesses to the Resurrection of Christ.
Meditation on the day’s reading: https://en.elijamission.net/2020/04/19/
Meditation on the day’s Gospel: https://en.elijamission.net/2023/04/16/
