Gospel: John 20:19-31
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked,
where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their
midst and said to them, "Peace be with you." When he had said this,
he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the
Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent
me, so I send you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them and
said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are
forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained."
Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus
came. So the other disciples said to 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 into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not
believe."
Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with
them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and
said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your
finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and
do not be unbelieving, but believe." Thomas answered and said to him,
"My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you come to
believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have
believed."
Now, Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are
not written in this book. But these are written that you may come to believe
that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may
have life in his name.
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Reflection:
Do we sometimes feel alone, fearful and without peace of mind caused by
the Covid-19 pandemic?
After the death of Jesus the apostles had this feeling of being orphaned
and without a leader. Add to this was the feeling of fear that was constantly
being fed to their minds by the Jews. To counter this feeling of helplessness
the apostles would meet every now and then to strengthen each other’s morale.
So, while in a room meeting and in the midst of their loneliness and fear
Jesus appeared to them and told them, “Peace be with you.” Jesus greeted them
peace be with you to strengthen and assure them of His abiding presence in each
and everyone of them.
Does Jesus still give us this peace right now? Of course! Up to this very
moment Jesus is still assuring us of this greeting of peace. But the peace that
Jesus’ gives us is something that is elusive for many of us. Because the peace
that Jesus’ imparts is not a byproduct of accumulation of money, material
things and power.
We may all have the wealth and power in this world but if we don’t have
Jesus we would still be without peace of mind. We would still be yearning for
something far greater than wealth and that is to have peace within ourselves.
Jesus in the gospel greeted His followers: “Peace be with you” not once,
not twice but three times! To say to them that amidst your difficulties
continue to believe that I have risen, continue to have faith in me, and
continue to be faithful to me. Because no one else can give you peace but me.
Our wealth will not give us peace for it may even give us endless
depression and pressure. Our power whatever it is will not give us peace as
well. Our friends may give us fleeting happiness but not peace of mind.
Who then can give us this feeling of true peace as we are being assaulted
by fear caused by the Covid-19 pandemic? It’s no other than Jesus! He alone can
give us this elusive peace and serenity within us.
Amidst the lockdowns, uncertainties and psychological anxieties brought
about by the Covid-19 pandemic. Jesus is always with us assuring us of peace
that nobody in this world can give us except Himself.
Do we already have the peace of Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas
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