Isn’t Peace What We All Want?

As we continue to celebrate Easter, we return on Sunday to the disciples’ interaction with the risen Christ:

John 20 MSG

Later on that day, the disciples had gathered together, but, fearful of the Jews, had locked all the doors in the house. Jesus entered, stood among them, and said, “Peace to you.” Then he showed them his hands and side.

The disciples, seeing the Master with their own eyes, were awestruck. Jesus repeated his greeting: “Peace to you. Just as the Father sent me, I send you.”

Then he took a deep breath and breathed into them. “Receive the Holy Spirit,” he said. “If you forgive someone’s sins, they’re gone for good. If you don’t forgive sins, what are you going to do with them?”

I notice that Jesus, feeling the disciples' fear, and wanting SO strongly for them to let go of this fear, says “Peace to you” twice in the same conversation.  

Why are the disciples so fearful?  Do they not trust Jesus and believe all the things that he had told them?  Could this mistrust have anything to do with sin?

“St. Ignatius of Loyola notes that sin is unwillingness to trust that what God wants is our deepest happiness. Until I am absolutely convinced of this, I will do everything I can to keep my hands on the controls of my life, because I think I know better than God what I need for fulfillment.” David Benner

Notice that once the disciples see Jesus with their own eyes and realize it is Jesus, they are filled with awe rather than fear.  Understanding this, Jesus adds to his blessing of peace an instruction to go and make peace with others…to forgive others.

Now they have another challenge, and one that we often face in our own relationships.  What might peace look like, when they (or we) are not ready to forgive?  

It might help to remind ourselves of what Jesus said on the cross, “Forgive them, they know not what they do.”  Perhaps forgiving others is not condoning their behaviour, but rather releasing OURSELVES from our feelings of anger towards them.  

Sometimes, in the middle of our fears and feelings, all we can do is to receive his peace. We may not feel it, but he offers it over and over. As many times as we need to hear it. 

I hope to see you on Sunday when we will meet with the Spirit “to mend the body, mind and soul, to disentangle peace from pain and let him make his broken people whole.” (apologies to John Bell).