Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus promises peace to his disciples, who would abandon him at his arrest. “Behold, the hour is coming and has arrived when each of you will be scattered . . . and you will leave me alone. But I am not alone, because the Father is with me. I have told you this so that you might have peace in me.”

And Jesus’ prophecy is fulfilled at the Resurrection. The disciples are gathered in the upper room, that place of fear, and suddenly Jesus is in their midst. What is the reaction of the disciples? They are afraid. And no wonder: they had abandoned him.

In the face of this fear, Jesus does two simple things. First, he shows his wounds. Second, he offers his peace. Both are important. By the first action, he reminds them of the sins that put an end to his life. In the second great move, Jesus says, “Shalom,” which means “peace.” Jesus returns not with vengeance, not with a renewal of violence, not with more of the same; rather, the violence brought against him is met with shalom, the gift of peace.