The events leading up to passion of Jesus were largely public and dramatic. Firstly, Jesus is arrested following the betrayal of one of his own disciples, Judas. Next, Peter denies him as he is tried in a public trial. Finally, he is executed outside the city as people look on.
By contrast, the appearance of Jesus to the disciples after the resurrection is intimate, without ceremony. Jesus appears to his beloved disciples, who, in fear for their lives, after the events of the previous days, were hiding, huddled together in a locked room. There are no recriminations, Jesus appears amongst them and speaks the profound words ‘Peace be with you’. The disciples needed to hear nothing else from Jesus. They were back in the presence of the one with whom they had spent the last couple of years, travelling and hearing the good news and learning about their own future mission. There must have been great joy at this reunion.
In our own lives, we encounter drama constantly. We face challenges to our health and well-being, and that of our family and friends. We have concerns about the world and our neighbourhood, especially when we see people in distress. We think about our future and what might be difficult to face ahead. Yet if we open ourselves to God in the person of Jesus Christ, he will come amongst us and speak to us, ‘Peace be with you’. And Christ is there for us whenever we seek to be in his presence, in prayer, in church, in the Zoom service, in our everyday life. If we are open to receiving Christ, he will be present with us, and will speak the words we long to hear: ‘Peace be with you’.
Fr Stephen Rowe