I have never been one to focus on or talk much about politics.  Lately, however, whenever I am gathered with like minded friends, the conversation seems to lean in that direction. Worry, concern, and even fear are at the very center of whatever topic has erupted out of the daily news.  

Have you heard this?  Did you read about that?  Do you understand what is happening in our county, the country, the world?  What could all this be leading to? What are we to do?  

Much like these gatherings with my friends, the apostles have gathered together, close friends with enough worry and concern, to retreat behind locked doors to a place where they could openly and honestly discuss what was on their minds. 

Their whole world has been shattered, and they are trying to sort out the events of the past weeks and prepare for what may be coming in the days ahead.  Filled with fear, the room must have been highly charged with anxious energy.  

I want you to imagine the moment before Jesus walked in. The energy in the space as words of worry and fear are exchanged. Think about the things that worry you, keep you awake at night, and rob you of your peace.

And then, “Peace be with you.”  In an instant, Jesus is present.

In a breath, the air in the room changes, and the heartbeat of each person there slows because when the Prince of Peace enters a space, peace in its very essence enters each person there.

Peace be with you, in a word, Shalom, an everyday Middle Eastern greeting, much like our common greeting: “Hi, how are you?”  The meaning behind this greeting runs deeper than it sounds.  “Hi, How are you?” really means I see you, and you matter.

William Barclay says the greeting offered by Jesus also means much more. 

More than “May you be saved from trouble.” It means: “May God give you every good thing.”

In my bible study group, when the room is charged with worry and concern, and it seems there is nothing we can do to improve the situation we are discussing, someone in the room will break through the tension and say, “We should pray.”  The minute the words “let us pray” are spoken, the air shifts, and our hearts are quieted. 

Because we trust that when two or three gather to pray, Jesus is present. 

Peace enters– even before we recognize Jesus’ presence.  

At that moment, something happens in our brains – we are calmed, and our prayers are clear and direct. 

This is a place where faith and science are woven together.  When fear and worry are present, the amygdala is activated. The amygdala is the part of the brain that triggers a fight-or-flight response. 

In contrast, the prefrontal cortex is the part of the brain responsible for rational thinking and decision-making. Activity in the prefrontal cortex becomes impaired during a fight or flight response. Depending on the intensity of the fear – rational thought, emotional regulation, and self-control can go out the window.

Studies have shown that during prayer, the amygdala calms, heart rate and blood pressure decrease, and rational thinking returns.

“Peace be with you.”  “May God give you every good thing.”   Clears the path, empowers, and opens the space for imagining what previously seemed unimaginable.

Before this moment, the disciples had no idea what they should be doing.  Their beloved friend and mentor has been unjustifiably executed, and they fear they may be next.  

Jesus’ words “may God give you every good thing” would include may God give you a calm spirit and a clear mind. This shift in brain activity was desperately needed so the disciples could hear and understand the following commissioning. 

“As the father has sent me, so I send you.”  If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.

With the breath of God, he fills them with the Holy Spirit.  From this moment on, everything has changed.

And in the first 5 chapters of Acts, we see the change in action.  Clear-headed and empowered by the authority given by Jesus.  Peter begins preaching.  The first converts were baptized, and there were about 3000 of them.   A community is formed, continues to grow, and many are healed. 

“Day by day they spent much time together in the temple. They broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the good will of all the people. And day by day, the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.” Acts 2:46-47

Ronald Rolheiser’s book “Holy Longing” talks about the apostolic community.  In this community we are, in his words “to stand shoulder to shoulder and hand in hand precisely with people who are very different from ourselves and with them hear a common word, say a common creed, share a common bread, and offer a mutual forgiveness so as in that way to bridge our differences and become a common heart.  Church is not about a few like-minded persons getting together for mutual support. It is about millions and millions of different kinds of persons transcending their differences so as to become a community beyond temperament, race, ideology, gender, language, and background.”

Prior to receiving the Holy Spirit, we see a community of people filled with fear, without direction, and without the genuine connections of community.  With the filling of the Holy Spirit, the apostolic community is formed and can no longer be contained within the walls of the upper room.

 The work of One has now become the work of many.  This community, standing shoulder to shoulder and hand in hand, bursts into the world and creates a glorious ruckus.

They continued to increase in numbers and it was when people started bringing the sick from nearby towns to be healed that the high priest, in their jealousy, took action.

The apostles were seized and taken before the council, who, in addition to their jealousy, felt like they were being blamed for Jesus’ death.

Even under the scrutiny of the council of high priests, Peter and John do not waver.  The fear and anxiety that had once paralyzed them no longer has power over them, and they stand firm in their faith and convictions.  Filled with inner peace, they are ready for whatever the future may hold.

We are part of this apostolic community. We break bread together, and we pray together. Jesus is present in the bread and the wine. Jesus is present in the body of believers who come together to pray in his name. Jesus is present when we go into the world and share the good news that all is forgiven of those who turn to him. 

 Jesus is present, and where he is, there is peace.

May we, too, be at peace and ready for whatever the future holds. May we remain faithful to the teachings of Jesus. May we stand shoulder to shoulder and hand in hand as we go out into the world, creating a glorious ruckus.

“Let us pray for peace: peace in the world and in each of our hearts.” Pope Francis (Dec 17, 1936 – April 21, 2025)