PEACE BE WITH YOU
Biblical meaning of peace differs from the ordinary understanding of peace. Peace in the normal usage stands for absence of conflict or war. Nations or people make peace after a conflict. So, peace is a period of quiet or tranquility. Biblical peace means more than quietness. The Hebrew word for peace is shalom, that means completeness, soundness, and welfare with no deficiency. If an injustice occurs, people establish peace through restitution to restore a broken situation, thus creating completeness or wholeness (Ex 22:1-5). Israel had peace and prosperity when they were faithful to God.
God is the source of peace. One attribute of God is Yahweh- Shalom (Judg 6:24). According to Paul, peace is the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22). Jesus is the prince of peace (Isa 9:6). He established peace in the world through his acts of restitution for the sins of humanity. By conquering the world, he brought peace to his followers. “I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world” (Jn 16:33).
Wishing peace to a house and all who dwell there is a Jewish form of salutation when one enters a house (1 Sam 25:6). That was also a customary practice of respect towards the family one visits. This greeting is to a family that would offer hospitality to the apostle after searching and finding a welcoming one. For example, Lydia, along with her household, received baptism from Paul in Thyatira. She then offered him and Timothy an invitation, “If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my home” (Acts 16:14-15). They accepted her invitation.
During the post-resurrection appearances of Jesus, he greeted the disciples with the usual Jewish salutation, “Peace be with you.” (Jn 20:19). This he repeated as an assurance he was offering to his apostles as he was sending them out with a mission to the world. In John 14:27, Jesus had assured his disciples, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid” (Jn 14:27). Even during severe persecution, they would experience peace of mind as he himself had during his passion and crucifixion.
Jesus appeared to his disciples after the successful offering of himself as the Lamb of God, like the return of the high priest from the holy of holies on the Day of Atonement (Lev 16:34). On the Yom Kippur or Day of Atonement each year, the high priest went into the holy of holies and sprinkle the mercy seat with the blood of a bull for the purification of the priests and the blood of a goat for the forgiveness of sins of all Israelites. Jesus, the Lamb of God, had sacrificed himself as the perfect sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins of all who turn to him in faith. Thus, Jesus established peace, and he communicated that to the world through his apostles.
The repeated greeting of peace by Jesus was an assurance he was offering to his apostles as he was sending them out with a mission to the world. In John 14:27, Jesus had assured his disciples, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” Even during severe persecution, they would experience peace of mind as he himself had during his passion and crucifixion.
When the apostles greeted the families with peace, God offered them peace. It would remain in them if they were worthy of it. If they were unreceptive, they would not enjoy the peace from God. One can enjoy the divine peace only by welcoming the Word of God and its messengers. Since the apostles were going to towns and villages where they meet strangers, they might encounter families that would discard them. Thus, Jesus gave them the warning to expect rejection also, as he himself had experienced from the Jewish leaders.
REFLECTION
During the Eucharistic celebration, the celebrant and the congregation exchange peace to one another. Even during severe persecution and suffering, the early Christian community enjoyed peace within them. If we are true to the word of God, we will have the joy in heart and hope for a better future in heaven.