Second Sunday of Easter [C]
April 27, 2025
John 20:19-31
The risen Christ’s first words to His disciples were, “Peace to you!” In Hebrew, this is literally “Shalom lakem” (שָׁלוֹם לָכֶם), a greeting frequently found in the Old Testament (Judges 6:23; 1 Samuel 1:17; 20:42; 25:6; etc.). Another Jewish variation, though not biblical, is “Shalom aleichem” (שָׁלוֹם עֲלֵיכֶם), meaning “Peace be upon you!” But was Jesus’ greeting merely cultural, or did it carry deeper significance?

To understand this, we must first explore the biblical meaning of “shalom.” One of the most common words in Scripture, appearing 237 times in the Old Testament, “shalom” is often translated as “peace.” Yet it signifies far more: the total well-being of a person, rooted in right relationships—with oneself, others, and God.
When the risen Christ appeared to the disciples, they were gripped by fear of the “Jews”. Interestingly these “Jews” may refer to three things: the Jewish authorities, Jesus Himself, a Jewish man, and even they themselves because they are Jews. They feared the authorities who had killed Jesus, knowing they could be next. They feared Jesus, remembering their failures: Judas’ betrayal, Peter’s denial, and their own abandonment. Would He now punish them? And they feared themselves: they feel unworthy and incapable disciples; they are underserved of Jesus’ mercy and forgiveness; they are broken and sinful. They fear of their own lives and future.
Yet Jesus’ words cut through their terror: “Peace to you.” This was no ordinary greeting. It was a divine assurance. They need not fear the authorities, for if they could not stop Jesus, they could not stop His followers. They need not fear Jesus, for He came not to condemn but rather to have mercy and forgive their weaknesses. When He repeated, “Peace to you,” and added, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you,” He affirmed their calling despite their flaws. Jesus assures them once again that despite their unworthiness, they remained chosen, and despite their weakness and failures, God’s grace is sufficient to perfect what is lacking in them.
True shalom flows only from the risen Christ—a peace that reconciles us to God, heals our relationships, and silences our inner shame. We know that we are sinners, yet we are redeemed so that we are in peace with God. We know that we often have difficult relationship with our neighbors, but we are invited to ask mercy and be merciful to other. We are aware that we are weak and incapable in loving God and others, but God’s grace is sufficient to complete what is lacking in us.
Rome
Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP
Guide question:
Do you have peace in our lives? What are we afraid of? Do we have peace with God? Do we have peace with our neighbors? Do we have peace with ourselves? What are things that make us fail to achieve shalom?







