Peace be with You
Head of Christ by Rembrant
As the Risen Christ enters the room with the startled disciples, his words are "Peace be with you." It is interesting that Jesus used this greeting of peace after His resurrection. He did not use this greeting before His resurrection.
"Peace be with you" is rooted in a traditional Aramaic greeting, the language spoken by Jesus and his disciples, "Shlama lakum" (or "Shalom aleichem" in Hebrew) translates to "Peace be with you."
In the culture of that time, greetings carried deeper significance than mere salutations. They could convey blessings, goodwill, and a desire for well-being. So, when Jesus greeted his disciples with "Peace be with you," he wasn't just offering a conventional greeting; he was imparting a profound blessing and reassurance, especially in the context of His resurrection.
The greeting carries layers of meaning. In the immediate context, Jesus was reassuring his disciples, who were fearful and confused after witnessing His crucifixion. His presence and words brought them physical peace, calming their anxieties.
Beyond the absence of fear, the phrase also conveys a sense of spiritual peace. In Catholic theology, Jesus' resurrection offers reconciliation with God and inner peace to believers. By imparting this greeting, Jesus is offering them the peace that comes from knowing their sins are forgiven and that they are in right relationship with God.
The peace that the Risen Christ is offering has to be claimed and internalized if it is to be effective in our lives. Like the fearful disciples we often do not embrace that peace readily and Jesus has to demonstrate his wounds and His flesh and bones. We grasp that peace when we spend time alone with him in prayer, and in reflection on scripture.
This week we kick off our Life Transitions Membership Program and a big part of making successful life transitions is internalizing Jesus’ plan for our lives. Much of our anxiety and lack of peace arise out of holding on to old wineskins. I witness it in my own life. Becoming a Catholic Deacon in January 2022 has meant a gradual life transition, as I let go of old ways and embrace new opportunities.
The absence of the Peace of the Risen Christ in our lives demonstrates a lack of trust in Him and a dependance on our own initiatives. We try and force things to go the way we want them to go, not believing that The Plan of the Risen Christ is one of its own abundance and joy.
We are reluctant to leave the old ways behind. I think of the Israelites in the desert after the Exodus, so often they wished to go back to the slavery of Egypt. In the story of the two sisters, Mary and Martha, Mary was the one willing to see the dawn of a new meaning and purpose in life, while Martha continued to hold on to old ways.
As we reflect on the words ‘Peace be with you’ we make a concerted effort to clasp that peace to our chest. We pray and ask the Risen Christ for the mustard seed faith to move towards the new and to leave the old behind. We cling to his plan for our new stage in life, where there is an abundance of grace and opportunities for a deeper fulfillment of our God given purpose.
NOTICE
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