Peace be with you. Peace means so much more than a lack of conflict. It’s rooted in the Jewish word, Shalom – which means both hello and goodbye, but is also meant to convey a wish for harmony, wholeness, completeness, prosperity, welfare and tranquility to the hearer. It is a very holistic, and hence holy, expression of faith, hope and love.
Today, let’s dwell in the richness Jesus meant to convey when He said, “Peace be with you,” to “Doubting Thomas,” in the Gospel of John.
Thomas (who was called Didymus, the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”
A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.”
Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”
Let’s pray – Father of grace and mercy – you sent us Jesus to bring your Kingdom of peace into the world. Help us to dwell in your wish for our harmony, wholeness, completeness, prosperity, welfare and tranquility, as we hear you say, “peace be with you.” Amen