Welcome to the second Sunday of Easter! The readings of today invite us to reflect about peace. Jimi Hendrix once
said that, when the power of love overcomes the lover of power, the world will
know peace. Everyone wants peace but only a few people work for peace but
instead, many love power and fame. The first reading presents to us a community
driven by the power of love. A community whereby the members driven by the love
for each other, they were able to sell their properties, put everything in
common that no one would lack (Acts 2:45). This created peace, unity,
tranquility and inclusiveness within the community. The poor felt at peace
within the Christian community, the peace the society could not give them.
Thus, we are called upon not only to share with those who lack, but also create
a smile on the face of the hopeless.
In the Second reading, Peter’s readers may
wonder how they can possibly enjoy peace when they are ‘strangers’, far from
home (1:1b) and suffering all kinds of trials (1:6). It must be remembered that
Peter was writing at a time when people like the emperor Nero (AD 54-68) saw Christians
as useful scapegoats to be blamed for anything that went wrong. They were thus
persecuted, with some being burned alive or thrown into arenas to be eaten by
wild animals.
Likewise, we Christians, too, have
questions about where peace is to be found as we wrestle with the problems
arising from religious pluralism, cultural oppression, poverty, ethnic
conflicts, sickness, gender issues and human animosity, which often translates
into violence. Peter encourages us with a great shout of praise: Praise be to
the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! (1:3a). Why? Because he has given
us a living hope and an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade
(l:3b-4). Thus, our sufferings are not pointless, but serve to confirm the
genuineness of their faith and will bring us everlasting peace, praise, glory
and honour at Christ’s return (1:7).
The Gospel presents two post resurrection
encounters of Jesus with his disciples. In the first encounter, Jesus’ first
words to the stunned disciples were Peace be with you! (20:19b). This greeting
was appropriate given the disciples’ circumstances. They were still recovering
from what they had thought was the loss of their teacher. The world needs to
hear Jesus’ words ‘peace be with you’. Humanity is bleeding due to various
persecutions. May Jesus send peace to humanity! When Jesus spoke these words to
the disciples, he was focusing on peace of mind and heart. May that peace, too,
be our experience as we wait for the peace in the external realm.
At his second appearance, Jesus focused on
Thomas, due to his disbelieve (20:24-25). Jesus gently rebuked Thomas (20:27b,
29), but also led him step by step to the confession; My Lord and my God
(20:28). In so doing, he provided a good model for us to follow. when we rebuke
others, we must not lose sight of our goal, namely, bringing those we serve to
confess Jesus who is the king of peace as their Lord and God. May the Peace of
the risen Lord be with you all.
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Vicent Abigaba
IV Year Theology
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