On that first Easter Sunday the frightened disciples who had abandoned Jesus were behind locked doors. Jesus appeared and said, “Peace be with you!” When Karol Wojtyla stepped onto a balcony as Pope John Paul II he told the crowd, “Do not be afraid.” In Cajun country people say, “Mais cher, laissez les bon temps rouller!” [My dear, let the good times roll!]. On Pentecost Sunday, fifty days after being in a room behind locked doors, the Apostles accepted their responsibility to be good stewards of the message and mission of Jesus Christ. They were at peace with their faith in Jesus as the Risen Lord. They came out from behind the locked doors and courageously proclaimed the Good News. They have passed on that responsibility to each of us in our own time. Are we at peace with our faith in Jesus as the Risen Lord? Are we doing our part to carry on the mission and speak the message of Jesus? Then, peace be with you! Do not be afraid! Mais cher, laissez les bon temps rouller!
