In this weeks gospel John 20:19-23 Jesus appears to the disciples who are locked in a room because they feared the Jews. Jesus appears and says “peace be with you “ After saying this he shows them his side and hands. They are filled with joy because Jesus kept his promise. He returned exactly like he said he was going to. He said to them again “peace be with you” and breathed on them and said “receive the Holy Spirit If you forgive people’s sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
When I read this gospel I felt a deep connection to the phrase “peace be with you” As a man I ask what else can you really ask God for? Sure we can ask for wealth, and material success. Yet, what is all that worth without peace. Peace is a state of being that many of us tend to overlook. We see what others have on the outside and assume that it’s what we want. The truth is peace is on the inside of our lives. It isn’t always flashy or shiny. It’s isn’t always in plain sight. Peace is a state of mind. Peace is knowing that you are in relationship with the lord. Peace is knowing that your sins forgiven and you are in good standing with Jesus. “Peace be with you.” What a powerful statement coming from Jesus himself. He brings peace to his disciples. He brings Peace to those in fear. That’s is what our faith does. It brings us peace when we or lost. You can have all the “stuff” of this world and still be without peace. I’ve seen it first hand. So many of us are looking for peace in the wrong places. Our wallets, cars, trips, drugs, tv, etc, are all temporary. Lasting peace comes when you focus on the lord and the Holy Spirit.
Later that evening Holy Spirit was received by the disciples. Through the breath of Jesus they were transformed by the Holy Spirit. At the beginning of this gospel the disciples were hiding in a room, doors locked and with fear in their hearts. A few moments later Jesus appears and changes everything. That is what the Holy Spirit does for you and I. He changes everything. He allows us to invert fear so that it becomes faith. When you are filled with the Holy Spirit things that seem impossible become possible. People that seemed difficult to spend time with become easy. They transform to us. They become easy and not because they changed. You changed. Your spirit changed. Your eyesight and hearing changed. Those changes are a byproduct of being filled with the Holy Spirit. We are not fixed or permanent. Who we are changes given the situation. Jesus is permanent. He is fixed and not going anywhere.
After being transformed the disciples were given their mission. They are to go out and forgive the sins of others. They are to go out into the world and fill others with the Peace that you can only get from Jesus. If you come to Jesus your sins are forgiven. If you choose not to come... your sins are retained. We have a choice. Long ago we chose Jesus. We are called to choose everyday. Choose peace over everything.
Peace be with you.
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