On this second Sunday of Easter, we begin a new part of our journey: to continue to welcome and deepen the new life that the Risen Lord gives us. Easter is not only an event that we remember and celebrate, it is an experience, process and mission that we are called to live every day.
The Gospel places us in the scene of Jesus’ appearance to his disciples and to Thomas. In the midst of fear, doubt and confinement, Jesus makes himself present and pronounces words that transform everything: “Peace be with you (…) and do not be unbelieving but believing”. His presence brings comfort, opens ways and renews faith.
Pope Leo XIV’s Easter message in his blessing Urbi et Orbi reminds us forcefully of the heart of this mystery: “Easter is a victory. (…) Christ had to die, and die on a cross, after suffering an unjust condemnation (…) he took upon himself the sin of the world and thus freed us all, and with us also the whole of creation, from the dominion of evil.”
This victory is neither distant nor abstract: it is present today, in the midst of our concrete history.
Also from the General Government of the Daughters of Jesus we received a key for this time: “Every apparition of the Risen One brings the same gift: ‘Peace be with you’. It is not just any greeting, it is a profound consolation.”
The call is very explicit to be attentive to make decisions of peace in every situation that arises. How do you experience yourself affected by this in your life?
Peace that transforms
In a world wounded by so much violence-and in a special way by the pain that the Middle East continues to experience-these words resound with a new urgency. The peace of the Risen One is not superficial: it is a peace that enters into our wounds, that embraces our doubts, that invites us to believe even when it is difficult.
Like Thomas, we too can feel fragile, incredulous or wounded. And yet, Jesus comes close to us, allows himself to be touched and says to us once again: peace be with you.
This Sunday is an invitation to accept this gift and to allow ourselves to be transformed by it. To believe that life wins. To trust that love has the last word.
Prayer
Risen Jesus, thank you that you are in our lives, give us your peace!
