In a time when the disciples most need it, Jesus offers them his peace. They are uncertain and fear his imminent departure, but Jesus gives his reassurance that they will not be left alone. Jesus has given them a gift, the gift of peace and just like the gift of love, it is something needed by the disciples as a mark of true discipleship. It is this gift of peace
that enabled the disciples then, and us now, to live faithfully and to be active in the mission of serving God. It is the intention of Jesus that we feel his peace and presence always, through the Holy Spirit, through the Scriptures and in the community of the church of believers.
In times when we are not feeling at peace or at ease, when we feel that Jesus is far from us, we can call on the promise that he has not abandoned us or left us. He has gone to be with the Father and he has left his peace through the Holy Spirit. We only need to draw close and we will feel that peace and presence again, no matter the situation. Jesus offers his peace to us continuously, just
as he did his disciples. And although he didn’t clearly tell the disciples about the peace he has given, we know that it is this peace that brought them and brings us comfort and courage in our times of trouble and fear. In the ultimate acts of the passion of Jesus, we see how Jesus embodies this peace, an example to us all.
May you experience the peace of our Lord today and always.
