My Dad often recounts a story about at a time when someone in my family was ill and eventually passed away. He tells about the priest that he spoke to during that time before and after the family member passed away. My Dad does not share much about what words the priest said. I don't think the priest used the exact words, "Peace be with you," as Jesus does in the Gospel reading for today, but I get the sense that the priest conveyed the spirit of those words and the priest helped my Dad find some comfort and peace during a very painful situation.
The Gospel reading today takes place three days after Jesus died and was buried. Most of Jesus' closest followers had been hunkering down in the same Upper Room where they had the Last Supper and that room is where this reading takes place. With the doors locked and the windows shut, Jesus appears suddenly among them out of nowhere. The fact that Jesus appears out of nowhere would be enough to shock a person and having witnessed his death and burial a few days earlier on top of being worried that they'd be arrested by the same people that arrested and condemned Jesus... it's no wonder the disciples were far from being at peace!
And then Jesus says: "Peace be with you." Then he says and does more things to put his beloved followers at ease. Jesus helped bring them back from the brink of panic and despair. Jesus acknowledged that everything was not great but would be more than okay in the long run.
That story about my Dad and the priest is the start of my Dad's faith and ministerial journey towards his becoming a ordained a Deacon many years later. Having a person bring peace and love and support during a difficult time made an impression on my Dad. I pray that we can do the same for those around us. Peace be with you.