TOPIC: PEACE BE WITH YOU
1. STORY
During a violent storm on the
Atlantic Ocean, all passengers on the ship going from Europe to New York were
filled with fear, except Mary, an elderly woman. She maintained a calm and peaceful appearance.
When asked by one of her fellow passengers how this was possible, she replied,
I have two sons, one in heaven and one in New York. During the storm I prayed
to God that if the ship sank, I would first see my son in heaven. If it was God’s will that the ship passed
safely through the storm, then she would first see her son in New York. In other case she would eventually see her two
sons. She said that God always brought
her peace.
2. GOSPEL: JOHN 20:19-31
A) THE DISCIPLES WERE FULL OF FEAR
The disciples were full of fear
because
i) Jewish leaders might put them in
prison or even worse kill them.
ii) Jesus, their leader, had died and
thus they were leaderless.
iii) They were ashamed at having
deserted Jesus in his greatest hour of need.
B) JESUS BRINGS PEACE
When Jesus visited his disciples on
Easter night, he was not angry nor did he criticize them. Rather he greeted them twice with, “Peace be
with you.” Jesus wanted them to have
peace in their hearts. The result was
that “At the sight of the Lord” the disciples rejoiced. Jesus brought them peace and joy.
3. APPLICATION TO LIFE
A) MANY ARE FILLED WITH FEARS
Many people are filled with fear just
as the disciples were. Some are fearful
due to poor health, lack of money, worried about their children, job security,
or about their future. In many parts of
the world, fears come from war, hunger, or disease.
B) JESUS BRINGS US PEACE
Just as Jesus brought peace to the
fearful disciples, he brings us peace and joy. He brings us peace for the following reasons.
i) He has risen, is alive, and is
with us.
ii) He is the good Shepherd who
protects us from those who wish to harm us.
iii) He is the light of the world
guiding us through life.
iv) He is the Bread of Life and the
Living Water nourishing us on our journey.
v) He will give us eternal life at
the end of our worldly journey.
4. CONCLUSION
As she journeyed across the dangerous
ocean, Mary had great faith in Jesus resulting in her having peace in her
heart. The fearful disciples, upon
seeing Jesus and hearing
this greetings of peace, were filled with joy. We, though filled with fear at times, will
have peace and joy when we believe that Jesus is with us, protecting us as the
good shepherd, guiding us as the light of the world, and nourishing us as the
bread of life and the living water. Remember
the words of Jesus, “Peace be with you.”
