Scripture: John 20:19-23
Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy and see if she is there. Ready? One, two, three…Good morning, Sammy!
Sammy: Good morning everyone!
Pastor: Peace be with you, Sammy.
Sammy: Peace be with you, too, Pastor. Hey, Pastor?
Pastor: Yes, Sammy?
Sammy: We say, “Peace be with you” during church, and Jesus says “Peace be with you a lot.” Today he said “Peace be with you” to his disciples.
Pastor: All of what you said is true, Sammy.
Sammy: So what does “Peace be with you” mean? I hear this phrase every Sunday, but I just don’t get it. I don’t go around greeting animals at the farm saying, “Peace be with you” to them. And when I go to the farmer’s market, the farmers don’t say, “Peace be with you” to each other. I hear a lot of “Good morning!” and “How are you?” and “What’s up?” but not ever “Peace be with you” until I come to church. So what does it mean and why do we say it?
Pastor: That’s a great question, Sammy. Boys and girls, what does “Peace be with you” mean?
[Allow time for responses]
Pastor: Thank you for all of the wonderful answers. Sammy, “Peace be with you” is a very special phrase. “Peace be with you” is a blessing. We are asking God to give a blessing of peace to others, and we are praying for peace between us and our neighbors. Church is a great place to share peace. But we can share peace with each other anywhere we go.
Sammy: That makes sense to me. I like that I can share peace with my friends and neighbors.
Pastor: Something else that is really important about the Gospel reading for today is that Jesus gives his disciples the Holy Spirit.
Sammy: That’s an incredible gift!
Pastor: Yes, the Holy Spirit is a gift Jesus gives us now. When we follow Jesus, we get to experience the peace of the Holy Spirit.
Sammy: I like that. Peace be with you, Pastor.
Pastor: Peace be with you, Sammy. Boys and girls, we are going to pray, and then I would like you to say, “Peace be with you” to someone on your way back to your seat. Let’s practice. Ready? Peace be with you. Nice job! Let’s bow our heads and fold our hands. Dear Jesus, thank you for your peace. Thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Sammy: Peace be with you.
Pastor: Peace be with you.
