Peace Be With You All
A Meditation by Rev. Cameron Trimble
“Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.” — John 20:19–20
Yesterday, the Roman Catholic Church called their new Pope. Robert Francis Prevost—now Pope Leo XIV—stood before the world, cloaked in papal regalia and mystery, and spoke these simple words:
“Peace be with you all.”
It is a phrase steeped in tradition. A liturgical greeting. A scriptural echo.
But also—a prayer. A plea. A hope.
He could have said many things. Words of power or policy. Vision or certainty.
Instead, he offered peace.
It makes me wonder…what happens when peace is the first word we speak? What happens when we resist the urge to rush into declarations and instead make space for stillness, for healing, for presence?
In John’s gospel, these are the very words Jesus speaks after resurrection. He enters the room—not with lightning or proclamations—but with a calm voice and scarred hands.
“Peace be with you,” he says, as if to say: I know you’re afraid. I know the world has changed. I am here. And peace is still possible.
Perhaps Pope Leo XIV’s first words are more than a ceremonial tradition. Perhaps they are a kind of offering—however imperfect, however complex—a reminder that in a world of violence, grief, and confusion, we can still choose the path of peace. It is not a fragile or naive peace, but a peace that holds complexity, a peace that includes justice, a peace that begins in each heart and then ripples outward.
Whether you are Catholic or not, whether you feel hopeful or wary about this new papacy, these words are still for you.
Peace be with you.
In your grief. In your anxiety. In your desire to help.
In your ache for a more just world.
In your leadership. In your fatigue.
In your faith and your doubt.
Let peace be the first word you speak today—to yourself, to your family, to your community.
Let peace begin with how you listen, how you walk, how you breathe. It may not change the world overnight. But it just might change the room you’re in.
We are in this together,
Cameron
Reflection Questions
When you hear the phrase “peace be with you,” what do you feel?
What keeps you from experiencing peace in this moment of your life?
What small act could you take today to become a bearer of peace?
A Prayer for the Day
A Prayer for Peace to Begin Again
God of Stillness and Storm,
You enter our chaos not with conquest,
but with a whisper: Peace be with you.
You do not demand; you offer.
You do not dominate; you dwell.
When the world around us feels loud and unstable,
teach us to return to your steady presence.
Let peace not be our escape,
but our anchor—strong enough to hold grief,
wise enough to make room for difference,
brave enough to walk alongside justice.
May we be people who speak peace,
who make peace,
who carry peace into every fractured space we enter.
Peace in our hearts.
Peace in our homes.
Peace in our nations.
Peace in our time.
Amen.
Spiritual Practice
Speak Peace First
Today, begin every interaction—every greeting, every message, every meeting—with peace.
You don’t need to say the words aloud, though you can. You can begin with a silent breath, a softened tone, a posture of openness.
Before reacting—pause.
Before assuming—listen.
Before correcting—bless.
Let your presence say: Peace be with you.
And let the world feel the difference.
Upcoming Events That Might Be of Interest…
NEW!!! On June 4, 2025, from 7-8pm ET, Join Brian McLaren, Matthew Fox and me for an exploration of “Life After Doom” inspired by Brian’s latest book. In an age of climate crisis, political unraveling, and societal collapse, many are asking: What now? What’s worth doing when the systems around us are failing? How do we find meaning beyond hope as we’ve known it? Join us and we will explore together. Register here.
June 4, 2025, 12pm ET - Jeff Chu has written a new book on a topic close to my heart: Soil! The title is “Good Soil: The Education of an Accidental Farmhand.” I am so pleased to be interviewing him. Together, we’ll explore what it means to cultivate “good soil” in our lives, our communities, and our spiritual practices. I hope you will register. Your registration includes a copy of his new book.
July 20-25, 2025 - The Art of Wilding: A 5-Day Expedition in Wyoming for Women Leaders. Click here to learn more.
August 11, 2025, 2pm ET - Dr. Andrew Root and I will be hosting a 6 part series on Spirituality in the Secular Age based on his research. The dates are August 11, 18, September 8, 15, and October 6, 13. Mark your calendars! More on this soon.
September 4, 4:30pm ET - I will be collaborating with the Anderson Forum for Progressive Theology to host a conversation with Thomas Jay Oord on Open and Relational theology. It’s a FREE event. Register here.
October 15-18, 2025 - Converging 2025: Sing Truth Conference (all musicians invited!) at Northwest Christian Church in Columbus, OH. Register here!
I drafted a Strategic Framework for Congregations as we move into the coming years of increased authoritarianism around the world. If interested, you can download it here.
What a beautiful day yesterday was, and it is my prayer that peace enter us all.
Thank you Cameron. Your words are a gift; your message is always a gift to me.