Jesus himself stood among the disciples and said to them, “Peace be with you.” They were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate in their presence. Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. Luke 24:36b-48
Peace is not an easy thing to come by, nor is it something that is the absence of strife. Jesus comes among his disciples and speaks peace to them in the midst of the terrors of the world around them. They had watched their friend and teacher die a horrible death and were still reeling from the news the women had shared. To them he offered his hands and his side and sat and ate with them. It was in the action of eating with them, the offering of himself in their midst, that the began to open their hearts to God's peace which break in our moments of great anxiety and fear.
A Litany for the Third Sunday of Easter
Loving Creator, you breathe peace in our storms
you sit at table with us when we are trembling
you hold us when we are shaken with grief
your love and peace breaks into all our troubles.
In times of strife and sorrow, Lord, bring us your peace.
We often blame you for the problems of the world
while we refuse to actively seek your peace and love
we spent our time loudly criticizing and complaining
failing to see your hands and side offer to us all.
In times of strife and sorrow, Lord, bring us your peace.
Make us and mold us into instruments of your peace
help us to work tirelessly for the welfare of others
let our voices be raised in prayer and great songs
that the world might know your peace in times of trial.
In times of strife and sorrow, Lord, bring us your peace.
We often lose our way and struggle with many fears
yet still you are by our sides speaking your peace.
In times of strife and sorrow, Lord, bring us your peace.
Let our hearts be open to receive all at our tables
may we feast together at the banquet you have set.
In times of strife and sorrow, Lord, bring us your peace.
For you have brought peace in every season
and you will bring peace in our time as well.
In times of strife and sorrow, Lord, bring us your peace. Amen.
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