On the Sunday after Easter in 1971 a dearly loved African archbishop spoke movingly to his congregation about how the risen Jesus had come to his disciples and bestowed on them the gift of his peace. He explained how those anxious followers had witnessed the most cruel and undeserved execution of their leader and, terrified, they had locked the doors for fear of their powerful opponents, but unexpectedly and amazingly they had found their Lord standing among them, alive after all (see John's Gospel chapter 20 verses 19-20). It made all the difference. The archbishop'sEaster message, preached nearly 2000 years later,  turned out to be particularly meaningful, as his own faith in Christ was soon severely tested when it led him to oppose a brutal dictator who staged a political coup. An alarming season of persecution followed, and both he and many of his hearers will have treasured more and more Jesus's promise of his peace and the presence of his Spirit among them.

Sharing peace is generally considered an important aspect of church fellowship, whether it is observed as a specific ceremony or whether it is simply assumed in our attitude as we worship together - or maybe something between the two. Not everyone is comfortable with the more formal expressions - while great for many, they can make some people feel suddenly excluded. I for one have often found this sort of activity quite difficult, but meditating on the peace of Christ, doing my best to appreciate the 'well-meant' motives, and taking what opportunities I can to thank those who come to offer peace to me, has been gradually chipping away at my embarrassment. Putting together these verses, which have had many alternative versions and gone through countless revisions, has also helped. The words were written with O WALY WALY in mind, and since then my husband John has composed for them a distinctive tune, SHLAMA, the name meaning 'peace' in Aramaic. He can supply the sheet music.