The gospel we hear this week finds the disciples locked in the Upper Room: "...for fear of the Jewish authorities." (Jn 20: 19) So often we hear today of people today suffering from anxiety which I have heard defined as "unspecified fear." The Risen Lord appears in their midst and his first words are: "Peace be with you." (Jn 20: 19) The fruit of the resurrection is peace. This greeting is reiterated when Jesus appears to Thomas (Jn 20: 26) The gift of peace echoes what Jesus said to the disciples earlier in the gospel: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid." (Jn 14: 27) The peace the world has to give is conditional on acceptance and submission to the powers of this world. The peace only lasts as long as we obey. The peace of Christ is a gift given by the Holy Spirit. It is a gift which defies all worldly powers. It participates in the victory of Jesus over sin and death and for this reason it cannot be overcome by threats, propaganda and lies generated by the enemies of true freedom. This peace is no a passive state of affairs rather it prompts us to go out from ourselves and encounter a world in desperate need of the peace that only Christ can give: "As the Father sent me, so I send you." (Jn 20: 21)
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