Pentecost

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Pentecost

Birthday     Church

Breathing     Unlocking     Equipping

Receive the Holy Spirit

Dwell

(photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture: John 20: 19 to 23

It was the evening of the first day of the week and the doors were locked because the disciples were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Jesus came and stood right in their midst. He said to them, "Peace be with you." After He said this, Jesus showed them His hands and His side. The disciples were thrilled to see Jesus. He said to them another time, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." And after Jesus said this, He breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. When you forgive someone's sins, they will be forgiven. When you retain their sins, they shall be retained."

(scripture adapted by John J. McNamara)

Reflection

Jesus comes to the disciples in the very same Upper Room where He had celebrated the Last Supper with them just four days before. The atmosphere on this night was very different. 

On Holy Thursday there was a sense of both celebration of a special meal and anticipation of what was to come. Now on Easter Sunday night there is confusion and fear.

Jesus knows exactly what He is coming into this night. He could have spoken words of reproach to the disciples. "Why did you all abandon me?"

Instead Jesus spoke words of healing. "Peace be with you." He calmed the disciples down.

 Jesus shows them His wounds. He reminds them of what He had suffered for them and for all of us as He witnessed to the mission that the Father gave Him.

He was faithful and that led to His suffering. The disciples react with great joy---they are excited and overwhelmed. Jesus is risen. He is with them again.

This time it is not about Jesus. It really is about them. Jesus will be "sending" them. He is not going to be staying with them and continuing His instruction. 

However, He will not be leaving them alone. Jesus breathes on them just as God breathed in the act of creating the world.

The disciples will be the New Creation. They will bring the gift of forgiveness to all through the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Jesus knows that those first disciples, like the disciples of today, will need the assistance of the Holy Spirit. There will be moments of difficulty and suffering. 

They will not be alone.

The Spirit will be with them. 

Come Holy Spirit!

1. How do you deal with the confusion and fear you encounter as you try to follow Jesus?

2. Where is Jesus sending you?

3. How does the Holy Spirit help you as you try to follow Jesus and bring forgiveness to others?