John 20:19-31
19 When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”22 When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” 24 But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 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.”
26 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.” 27 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.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” 30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. 31 But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.
"My Lord and my God"
Today's Gospel reminds us of how the Risen Lord appeared to His Apostles and disciples. He appeared to the women early in the morning at the empty tomb, to Mary of Magdala in the garden, to the two disciples on their way to Emmaus, and twice to the Apostles in the closed room.
A mixture of fear and frustration were the dominant elements among all those who met either Him or the angels who announced His resurrection. "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen!" Luke 24:5.
The Risen Christ entered the locked room to greet the apostles by saying, "Peace IS with you!" Isn't He the Prince of Peace as announced by Isaiah 9:6?
Jesus' language has three forms of wishing peace--
"Peace be upon you" (Shlomo elaykhoun); It is from above, you have no choice.
"Peace to you" (Shlomo lekhoun); it is a proposal you are free to accept or reject. "When you enter a house, first say, 'Peace to this house. If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you" Luke 10:5-6.
"Peace is with you" (Shlomo ‘amkhoun); the only two times this form is used in the Gospels is when Jesus appears to His apostles to confirm His Resurrection as He had foretold them many times before. Fear is eradicated, no more frustration, no more doubt, no more hiding out of fear of anyone. Inner Peace prevails. All these negative attitudes are replaced with a renewal, such as frustration by faith, and doubt by trust in God's holiness and the fulness of His power.
Thomas remains the best example for us in this regard, who after seeing Jesus' wounds cried out, "My Lord and my God," then the Risen Lord said "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed" (VV. 28-29). Trust God the Father and the Risen Son. He sends out His disciples, entrusting them to the Holy Spirit to guide and direct them to spread the Gospel and to forgive sins.
May we concentrate our meditation upon Jesus' presence among us as we hear His voice saying, "Peace is with you." Renew your faith, trust and mission in the world, which needs the peace inspired by the Spirit of the Gospel and the remission of sins.
Blessed are they who trust in His Resurrection and proclaim His love and presence throughout their daily life.
Christ is Risen indeed, Alleluia!