On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” —John 20:19-23
God of Peace,
You have made peace with us
Through your blood shed on the cross.
And you have made peace with everything
in your broken world.
You offered peace to the disciples
when they least deserved it.
May we know your peace and wholeness.
You send us out
To become more and more like Christ.
To be peace-makers, like Christ.
Show us this day and everyday
The places that need peace
In our hearts
In our families
In our neighborhoods
In our churches
In our country
In our world.
Show us how you have sent us
and how to work for peace.
Give us courage to do that work.
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
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