Women and children, men and the elderly—many live with the constant fear of further abuse,
fear for the future, fear of confronting past trauma, fear of being hurt again, or fear of
judgment. These fears rob them of a life marked by safety and freedom. In today’s Gospel reading, we are reminded that when the disciples locked themselves away out of fear, the Risen Lord came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” He then showed them his hands and his side—wounds of innocent suffering, inflicted by power wielded over the powerless. This image resonates deeply within the context of domestic violence. The God who offers peace surely sees, cares, and brings peace to those who suffer from abuse.
This message of hope is now in our hands to share. How can we do that? Each of us is called to reflect on how we might carry the peace of the Risen Lord into the lives of others—in small yet significant ways. We cannot ignore or stay silent when we know that people, even within their own families, are suffering abuse. God is a God of peace and justice, and as such, any form of injustice must not be tolerated—whether in our churches, Christian families, or communities.
Let us be bearers of hope, agents of peace, and advocates of justice.