‘Peace be with you!’
The outpouring of God’s love and mercy flows throughout this Sunday’s liturgy. The joy of resurrection that we celebrate in this Easter season rings out in the words of praise that we repeat with jubilation in today’s Psalm: ‘Give Thanks to the Lord for he is good, His love has no end’. It reminds us that in the midst of dark and challenging times, the presence of the risen Christ is a comfort in our distress.
In the First Reading, we hear how the early Church, filled with the Holy Spirit, gather together to worship, bringing the risen Lord’s healing to all who seek it.
St John, writing from the place where he was imprisoned for his beliefs, describes a vision of God’s endless living love (Second Reading). The risen Christ is the Alpha and the Omega: the Eternal One stands with us, encouraging us to not be afraid.
Shortly after the death and resurrection of Jesus, the disciples are hiding, fearful of what might happen to them (Gospel). Jesus appears among them in the midst of their fear, his presence bringing them peace. Thomas is not there, and cannot believe what he is told. Eight days later, Jesus stands among them again, and the reality of the resurrection is revealed to Thomas, too.
Today, Jesus stands alongside us, tenderly drawing us out from doubt and disbelief. He has breathed his Holy Spirit upon us. Just as he sent the disciples two thousand years ago, today he sends us out, to bring peace and healing to a fractured, hurting world. Let us pray for that peace that only Christ can bring, in our hearts, in our communities and in our world. At this time we especially remember the people of Ukraine and eastern Europe.
St Beuno's Outreach 