Peace be with you

"You can't think straight with a heart full of fear,
for fear seeks safety, not truth.
If your heart's a stone, you can't have decent thoughts
—either about personal relations or about international ones.
A heart full of love, on the other hand,
has a limbering effect on the mind."
—William Sloane Coffin
In tomorrow's Gospel reading Jesus appears to the disciples without Thomas present and then a week later with Thomas also there. Each time he says, "Peace be with you."

The UCC website offers the quote above and this,

Whenever we're afraid and hiding out, all locked up,
God comes to us in the midst of our fear
and says, "Peace be with you."
Whatever doubts churn in our minds,
whatever sins trouble our consciences,
whatever pain and worry bind us up,
whatever walls we have put up
or doors we have locked securely,
God comes to us and says, "Peace be with you."

Whatever hunger and need we feel
deep in our souls,
God calls us to the table,
feeds us well, and sends us out into the world
to be justice and peace,
salt and light, hope for the world.

We can do it, if we keep our eyes open,
our minds limber, and our hearts soft and willing to love.
As God sent Jesus, God sends us, this day.