Second Easter Peace

Sunday, April 27, 2025

Second Sunday of Easter

The Rev. Dr. Ben Huelskamp (he/they)

Executive Director, LOVEboldly

Queer Christian

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the authorities, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” (John 20:19)

A week ago today we not only celebrated Easter, we celebrated a rare moment when Easter in the western Christian traditions—Roman Catholicism, Anglicanism, and Protestantism—and in the Eastern Christian traditions—Eastern Orthodoxy—fell on the same day. This is also the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea. In a time when there is so much division and discord across many geo-political landscapes, moments of unity can feel miraculous.

The Apostles too were living in a moment of division and great fear. The occupying army of Rome had just murdered their teacher, and their own cultural leaders had been complicit in that murder. Even though the room is dark and the doors are locked, Jesus appears to

them with a simple and reassuring message: peace be with you. Peace is never a simple reality to convey, but in that moment and in that place, Jesus need only say the word and the Apostles are reassured.

Reflection

What peace do you need right now? How can you convey peace to others?

Action

One of the hardest things for us to do is cultivate peace for ourselves. Yet, it is so important that we find time to give ourselves that which we call peace. Lock your door, find a good book, make yourself some tea, or whatever you do for peace and give yourself 30 minutes of peace today.