The theme of today’s Gospel is peace (Greek eirene; Hebrew shalom). But it is not just any peace. It is the peace which is the gift of the risen Lord to his, then, still fearful disciples. Despite what they heard about their Master being risen from the dead, the trauma of his violent death left them paralyzed. They could not go out right away to celebrate the good news. It was at this point that the risen Jesus appeared to them and greeted them, “Peace be with you” (v 19).

Jesus could have confronted his disciples for not remaining with him up to his death. He could have admonished them for their lack of faith and courage, for being overwhelmed with fear. But he chose to console them instead, and to bless them with his peace. The joy the disciples felt must have been overwhelming at seeing their Master alive again and without any charge or condemnation for their betrayal of him. Jesus chose peace because he is peace and it is in peace that people can live as children of God.

Peace is indeed one of the most precious gifts or states one can be endowed with. When there is peace, we can focus on what we do, we can think well, we can relate well with others. But without peace, we are troubled, we are confused, we are in darkness, we do not know how to proceed, we are always fearful and distrustful. In the family, where there is peace, the members live in love. Each one can fulfill his or her function well. But peace is not only the absence of conflict or challenge. For there is no world without such. But peace exists when we respect and recognize others’ opinions or views, when we try to understand their views or put ourselves in their shoes. It is present when we try to dialogue and listen to one another over a particular issue. There is peace when we can compromise or agree on something that we can work together on, rather than have an all-or-nothing attitude, or when we want our opinions to win at all cost.

As the world, our communities, our families, our own selves are continually threatened by tensions and challenges, may we radiate the peace of Jesus or be peacemakers, bearers of Jesus’ peace to a broken and troubled world.

When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.

Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem. At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd, but they were confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. They were astounded, and in amazement they asked, “Are not all these people who are speaking Galileans? Then how does each of us hear them in his native language? We are Parthians, Medes, and Elamites, inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya near Cyrene, as well as travelers from Rome, both Jews and converts to Judaism, Cretans and Arabs, yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God.”

“Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.” or “Alleluia.”