“Peace be with you” Jesus greets the disciples. Why?

 At every post resurrection appearance to his apostles, Christ uttered the same greeting: “Peace be with you.”  Why did Christ feel the need to say this phrase so often? Again, I do not pretend to know Christ’s mind, but I have a few ideas.

While the apostles were excited and delighted that Christ was no longer dead, they sorely remembered how they responded to his capture at the garden of Gethsemane. By their flight and fear, they showed their lack of courage. They choose flight instead of defending Christ against his captors.

Their fleeing came immediately after their sentimental last supper with Jesus in the upper room. During that meal, Jesus washed their feet, telling them how much he loved each one. Jesus looked into the eyes of each disciple, saying that if they loved him, they would keep his commandments, and if they do, Jesus promised to live in them.

Before his arrest Jesus explained that his sufferings were for them. Adding he did not mind pain’s agony because no greater love can be given than to offer one’s life for one’s friends’ well-being. Then Jesus surrendered to his captors while they fled in fear.

The next day, hanging in dire discomfort and excruciating torment on his cross, Jesus asked his father to forgive everyone for they did not understand the depth of their dishonorable deeds. Jesus showed them and every generation to come. If you have a value in life to die for, then you have a life worth living.

 As Jesus’ torture continued these thoughts tumbled in the minds of the disciples while fear for themselves smothered any consoling words of their imprisoned messiah. All these considerations caused shame and fright. Instead of attentiveness to Jesus and his troubles, they were preoccupied with their own safety.

 Their fear was not of punishment from Jesus, but a fear that they had let Jesus down when he needed them most. What bothered them was that they gave so little, while Jesus was willing to give so much for them. They needed to hear repeatedly, “Peace be with you” to wash away the stain of their cowardliness.

 Even though they saw Jesus forgive many others; the woman adulteress, Dismas the thief, Matthew the tax collector and everyone else through his words from his cross the apostles felt unworthy because they “were given much and much would be demanded from them.”

 Jesus, who ate with them, laughed with them, and celebrated happier times with them is the Jesus who does not judge our entire life by our last mistake. This is Jesus who would give goodness a chance no matter how small, rather than punish.

In his greeting “Peace be with you,” Jesus is telling his apostles and all his followers, that any sorrow and regret we have is enough to attract Jesus’ mercy and forgiveness, and then, the blessedness of his father.

 Jesus is not one to wallow in the past when his kingdom needs to be built today. His “Peace be with you” is a reminder that once we acknowledge our sinfulness, “His grace is sufficient for us” to move on in peace. Therefore, hear Jesus words to you: “Peace be with you all the days that you live.”