Back to School

Pause

What will you hear today? Take a deep breath. God has something for you, to shape you, to calm you, to inspire you.

Listen

While they were saying these things, Jesus himself stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” They were terrified and afraid. They thought they were seeing a ghost.

He said to them, “Why are you startled? Why are doubts arising in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet. It’s really me! Touch me and see, for a ghost doesn’t have flesh and bones like you see I have.”

Luke 24:36-39

Think

What do you need to hear to feel peace? To be reassured enough that you can go about your life, your day? Jesus, as he stood among his friends and students, knew that they were anxious, bogged down in grief and disbelief. No way could this be their teacher! Only a few days before they had watched in horror as he died and was buried.

When we see the horrible things in life and feel sadness and worry down to the core of our being, it’s hard to summon peace or to replace fear with hope.

Since the day Jesus spoke the words, “Peace be with you,” believers have used these four words to remind each other of the relationship we have with Jesus, even in the midst of worry, fear, and doubt. Jesus reaches out to us, just as he did the disciples, holding out his hands and his heart to offer peace. Jesus reaches out to you today, holding out his hands, sharing his heart, a heart that desires for you to be at peace.

Gina Yeager-Buckley

Pray

Silently speak this centering prayer throughout the day:

Peace be with you, _________ (your name).

Peace be with you, _________ (the name of someone you know who needs peace).

Repeat and know that Jesus speaks to you.

Go

Go into the world. Make disciples. Make people curious. Make your faith visible.