– Gospel Reading:
John 20:19-23
In the evening of the same day, the first day of the week, the doors were closed in the room where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews. Jesus came and stood among them. He said to them, “Peace be with you,” and showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were filled with joy when they saw the Lord, and he said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so am I sending you?” After saying this he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. For those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven; for those whose sins you retain, they are retained.”
GUIDELINES TO HELP US TO MEDITATE ON THE PASSAGE SO AS TO RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE GOD’S PRESENCE AND ACTIVITY IN OUR LIVES AND WORLD TODAY.
Can you remember an experience when you personally, or your family, or your community, suffered behind the “closed doors” of sickness, grief, failure, or fear, and some “Jesus person” came behind those doors and breathe new life into you- “Receive the Holy Spirit” – and inspired you with a new energy and enthusiasm for life, and filled you with a new belief in yourself and in your future.
Remember how a Jesus person gave of himself/herself to you with great gentleness, trust and love – just like “breath” – and gradually awakened new life in you.
OR remember when you have been the one to come “behind the closed doors” and minister to others in their pain.
Can you remember an occasion when, to your surprise, you were given a new task or mission in life, and you felt honoured and privileged to have been chosen and trusted; so much so that it ignited a new spring in your step and fire in your belly?
Can you remember an occasion where you were unwilling to show forgiveness to someone who had wronged you; or an occasion where someone had refused to forgive you; and consequently, in both instances, the “sin” still had power over you?