Peace of Christ

Peace of Christ

"Peace be with you"

John 20.19

Gospel for the second Sunday of Easter:  John 20.19-31

 

Thomas is not the only one.

 



Much has been written and preached about this Easter narrative in John's Gospel, which, over the centuries, has been dubbed "The Doubting Thomas" story.

 

This is a very inaccurate description. Doubt plays a role, certainly, but when it becomes central to the story, it means we are hearing it with our ears, but not with our hearts.

 

Imagine the event...

 

...Jesus came and stood among them and said, 'Peace be with you.'"

It is the evening of the Resurrection. Mary Magdelene has told the disciples that she had seen the Lord. Peter and "the other disciple" had gone to find the tomb empty.

Their testimony was not enough.

 

So, locked in a house for "fear of the Jews", Jesus appears to them. He offers them his peace. The immediate reaction? John doesn't tell us, but we can assume it is still unbelief, because only when he shows them his hands and is side do they "rejoice"!

 

Perhaps we should have called this story, "Thomas and the Doubting Apostles?"



 

 

Peace a second time.

It must have been a bit chaotic, because Jesus again says, "Peace be with you."

Once the peace of Christ is given, He gives them the Great Commission (Acts 1.8;Mark 16.15;Matt 28.19) "As the Father has sent me, so I send you." Then there is the marvellous image of Christ breathing on them so they might receive the Holy Spirit (reminds us of God breathing into Adam to give him life in Gen 2.7).

 

Grieving Thomas

 

Jesus then departs (a detail left out of the story) and the focus shifts to Thomas. He "was not with them"- just like those who first heard this account. Remember, John's Gospel is written around 100 AD, and the first witnesses are most likely dead. Thomas represents John's community. Thomas also represents all of us.

 

And this is the point in the story that gets misconstrued. We, in our modern mind, think of Thomas' graphic denial as scepticism.

 

Thomas is not a sceptic. Thomas is in mourning. His grief is so strong that he will not even listen to those who he has journeyed with for three years. Thomas has been witness to the great signs and wonders of Christ.

 

But all that came crashing down on Good Friday. It was too much to bear. And Thomas is in no state to hear HOPE or JOY.

 

Peace a Third Time

 

But he is open to the Peace of Christ. Eight days later, Jesus returns. Specifically, "Jesus came and stood among them and said,'Peace be with you.'" He then offers his hands and side for Thomas to touch ( an offering of his Body), and Thomas offers back his assent, which from that point on, "touches" Thomas and makes him one of the great missionaries and martyrs for the faith. John ends the story with Christ's assurance for the ages: "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet come to believe." (John 20.29)



 

 



 For this week....

 









 There is one message from this Sunday's Gospel that I invite you to consider. When you return to Mass next Sunday, be very awake to the Sign of Peace.

First, note the priest's invocation "The peace of the Lord be with you always.."
So when we offer each other the sign of peace, the intention is not "hey, how are you doing", "have a nice day:" or "glad to meet you". No, we offer each other the peace of Christ. As the Body of Christ, we offer the "peace the world cannot give." The Peace of Christ allows us to follow the Great Commission. The Peace of Christ removes all doubt, anguish and grief. The Peace of Christ heals the world. So when you shake the hand of the person beside you, say "the peace of Christ be with you.."

Second, note where the Sign of Peace occurs.
It is right before Communion

Right before we process as the Body of Christ to become what we receive.

Right before we "touch his hands and side."

Right before we receive him once again.

Right before we say "Amen"- "My Lord and my God".

 





For next Sunday, be awake to the Sign of Peace. Catholic educators, offer the sign of the Peace of Christ to your students and friends. Bless your families with the Peace of Christ.