Today’s Gospel reading says that the disciples were together on the evening of the Resurrection.  One should keep in mind, however, that the background of this very heartwarming Gospel story was anything but heartwarming.  The disciples were hiding behind locked doors because they feared that they might share in Jesus’ fate of crucifixion. (Jn 20:19) 

Jesus appeared to them in their fear and self-concern.  Surprisingly, he did not speak words of blame and condemnation for their lack of loyalty, but words of forgiveness and encouragement.  Further, his forgiveness was not limited to those who were gathered on the evening of that first day; it was extended even to Thomas who was so afraid and untrusting that he shunned the company of his fellow disciples. (Jn 20: 26) 

Jesus’ repeated greeting, “Peace be with you,” calmed the disciples’ fears and strengthened their unity with one another.  The “peace” he conferred wasn’t a plea for reconciliation between the disciples and himself; it was both an expression and command of Divine reconciliation. 

Jesus made it clear to the disciples that their lack of faith was forgiven and that they were to extend the same unmerited forgiveness to all. (Jn 20:23)  Even Thomas, who was late to receive forgiveness, was included in the gift and the mission of forgiveness. 

Jesus continues to confer and command peace to his disciples.  His peace is not merely the absence of doubt or conflict; it is the presence of the trust in God that compels one to forgive as one has been forgiven.   

As Jesus was so generous with his forgiveness and so insistent that the disciples act as missionaries for the message of reconciliation, one might wonder why forgiveness and reconciliation still seem so rare today.  When one looks at national or international events, or even events in one’s own life, one is most likely to see bitterness, jealousy, pettiness, and conflict.  When the death of Pope Francis I was announced, the first public reaction to the announcement was to point out the divisions between Catholics that grew during Francis’ papacy.  Where is the forgiveness Jesus shared so freely with those who betrayed him?  Why is forgiveness so rare, even among Church members? 

The answer to these questions, and the explanation for the infrequency of forgiveness, can be found in Jesus’ command.  We, the baptized, are commanded to forgive to the same degree that we have been forgiven.  This, I think, is the explanation for the glaring absence of forgiveness in the Church and in the world. 

There is an adage from medieval theology that says one cannot give what one does not have.  I suggest that the baptized are reluctant to grant forgiveness because they have yet to experience forgiveness to an adequate degree.  We do, in fact, forgive to the degree that we have experienced forgiveness but sadly, we have experienced forgiveness to such a limited degree that we are incapable of forgiving one another.  Despite the impoverished state of the baptized today, there is reason to hope. 

The first line in John’s Gospel is a confession of faith by the community that produced the Gospel.  The Gospel says, “In the beginning was the Word.  The Word was face to face with God because the Word is God.” (Jn 1:1)  The original ending of the Gospel, which we read today, alludes to its beginning.  In the beginning, the Divine union of God and the Word reached out to bring reconciliation to the world.  In the end, even the worst sinners were reconciled to God and one another.  The end of the world, then, is not destruction but a new beginning of innocence and grace. 

If you find that you are not compelled to forgive your enemies, it might be the case that you have not yet accepted forgiveness fully.  It might also be the case, that those like Thomas, who find it difficult to believe in Jesus’ resurrection, have not yet accepted God’s forgiveness.

The disciples were completely mistaken about Jesus.  Sharing in his fate was not something to be feared but something to be imitated.  His crucifixion was not the end but a new beginning of reconciliation. 

Jesus repeated his greeting to his disciples after his resurrection, and he continues to repeat it today to all who will muster the humility and generosity of heart to accept reconciliation with God.  The peace that Jesus offers is not limited or static; it is an ever-increasing embrace of God, reconciliation, and the world.   

On the day of Resurrection, a new day dawned for all the world.  Now, a renewed creation is reconciled to God.  All are invited to unmerited and unlimited forgiveness.  To the whole world, Jesus says, “Peace be with you.” (Jn 20:21)