Peace Be with You
Emily Penrose-McLaughlin of Independence, MO, USA
When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. -John 20:19-22
In my office I have a framed quote: “Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart” (author unknown).
I like the quote…a lot. For me, it means that peace is not just a state of being; it is also an action; it is how I choose to live. When things in life cause stress, fear, and anxiety, I may want to turn away or turn inward to hide from the challenges I face. But then I remember the pursuit of peace is that to which we are called-to live and walk in the way of Christ’s peace in our world today.
In the scripture passage, we meet Jesus’ disciples in a time of great sadness, uncertainty, and fear after Jesus’ crucifixion. They had literally locked themselves in a house, hiding from their neighbors and the world around them. But then Jesus, the Risen Christ, appears to them and says, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”
Notice that Jesus didn’t say, “Peace be with you. Stay in this house so that you can remain at peace.” No. Jesus said, “I send you.” To where? Out…into the world…among God’s people…to embody peace and to continue to share God’s vision for creation.
Jesus didn’t promise an easy path, but he reassures us that the Holy Spirit will be with us, granting us peace in the midst of every life circumstance. And into the world we are sent-to embody Christ’s peace and share God’s vision for creation.
Prayer Phrase
“Every breath is a resurrection” (Gregory Orr).
Spiritual Practice
Breath of Life
Take a few moments right now to breathe. Simply observe each inhale and exhale. Pay attention to how it feels in your body. Notice the rise and fall of your chest. Notice how you breathe even when you aren’t thinking about it, how your body instinctively knows how to keep you alive without your thought or effort. In this moment, you are alive. Receive this awareness as an expression of divine grace. In joy or despair, loss or celebration, your body continues breathing. How is your breath a resurrection this day?
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.
