Easter 2 (year A)- John 20:19-31

 The Gospel for the Second Sunday of Easter is John 20:19-31. In this passage, the risen Christ appears to ten apostles, and then a week later, He appears to Thomas as well. When He comes, Jesus blesses the disciples with divine peace. The disciples remain fearful and timid as the risen Lord comes to where they were locked in. He brings greetings in the common Jewish manner, saying “Peace be with you,” in Hebrew shalom alechem. 

This Biblical greeting is more than a hello. It is an implied prayer for God’s peace. Such a prayer for peace has a special meaning in light of Christ’s resurrection. It is a blessing from the risen Lord, who is the embodiment of God’s peace. After all that has happened, the disciples have a special need for peace and assurance.

Christ does not stop with reassuring words. Jesus adds a commission or a call to action. As the heavenly Father has sent Him, likewise Christ sends the apostles (and through them, His whole Church). Jesus brings peace through His resurrection victory over sin and spiritual death, and He asks His disciples to share that peace with others. His followers are to share the message with others. Jesus the Christ is risen and alive, and His peace is to be spread. His followers are to continue His work in the world and share the peace that comes through faith in the crucified and risen Lord.

The resurrection of Jesus is the high point of scriptural teachings on peace. While faith in the risen Lord may contribute to other types of peace, it chiefly offers peace with God. Christ's peace removes fallen human enmity with God; it offers us new eternal life in God’s holy and merciful presence.

Christ’s words to the disciples also point us to our Christian mission in the world. The peace of His resurrection is not some private possession. It is not a secret that we are to keep to ourselves. The risen Christ comes to us in peace and asks us to share the joy of His spiritual peace with others. Of course, ordained ministers have a special role in sharing this divine peace in Word and Sacrament. Nevertheless, the whole Body of Christ, the entire membership of Christ’s Church is involved. All of us are called to witness to God’s peace in Christ Jesus. Despite our human frailty, by grace, we can all share Christ’s peace with the people around us.