Second Sunday of Easter: "Peace Be With You" — John 20:19-31 | St. Peter's by-the-Sea

About this episode

Fr. Craig Swan preaches on the theme of peace and forgiveness in the context of the risen Christ's appearance to his disciples after the resurrection.

What does it mean to receive peace from someone you failed? On the Second Sunday of Easter, Fr. Craig Swan preaches on one of the most striking moments in John's Gospel: the risen Christ walking through locked doors to stand before the disciples who had abandoned him — and offering not judgment, but peace. Fr. Craig explores the shame the disciples carried on that first Easter evening, why forgiveness is less about the other person than about freeing yourself, and how the church's long history of division stands in direct tension with the risen Christ's first words: Peace be with you. The sermon closes with a challenge for this congregation and this moment: in a time marked by conflict and the need to be right, can we choose relationship over certainty? Scripture Readings Acts 2:14a, 22–32 — Peter's witness to the resurrection Psalm 16 — "You will not abandon me to the grave" 1 Peter 1:3–9 — A living hope through resurrection John 20:19–31 — The risen Christ appears; Thomas's doubt and faith St. Peter's by-the-Sea is an Episcopal Church in Narragansett, Rhode Island. Sunday worship rooted in Anglican liturgy, scripture, and thoughtful preaching. Plan a visit…

People in this episode

Host: Craig Swan

Topics covered

• peace
• forgiveness
• shame
• resurrection
• relationship

Keywords

• Easter
• John's Gospel
• conflict
• certainty

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: John's Gospel

Places: Narragansett, Rhode Island

More episodes of St. Peter's by-the-Sea

• The Great Vigil of Easter – "Prisoner of Hope" | Bishop Nicholas Knisely · April 6, 2026 · 1h 42m
• Palm Sunday: "Save Us" -- The Hosanna We Don't Know We're Asking For | St. Peter's by-the-Sea · March 30, 2026 · 1h 11m
• "The Woman at the Well: What It Means to Be Fully Known and Fully Loved" | St. Peter's by-the-Sea · March 9, 2026 · 17 min
• Second Sunday in Lent: “Do You Trust Me?” — John 3:1-17 | St. Peter’s by-the-Sea · March 6, 2026 · 46 min
• First Sunday in Lent The Holy Eucharist Rite One Great Litany, Sunday, February 22, 2026 · February 22, 2026 · 1h 4m
• Feb 14th: Last Sunday After the Epiphany · February 18, 2026 · 59 min