Gospel: John20:19-23
Personal Reflection:
In this reading, whatwordorphrase stands out? Why?
Are youattracted to something in the reading? Why?
Do youfeelanyresistance? Why?
Reflection with Journal:
Commentary:
John 20.21: The Sending: "As my father has sent me, so also I send you!" From this crucified and resurrected Jesus we received the mission, the same one that he received from the Father. And he repeats, "Peace be with you!" The repetition emphasizes the importance of peace. Building peace is part of the mission. The peace that Jesus leaves us means much more than the absence of war. It means building a harmonious human community, in which people can be themselves, with everything necessary to live, and where they can live happily and peacefully. In a word, it means building a community according to the community of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
John 20.22: Jesus communicates the gift of the Spirit. Jesus breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit." And it is therefore with the help of the Holy Spirit that we can carry out the mission that he entrusts to us. In the Gospel of John, the Resurrection (Passover) and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Pentecost) are a single event. Everything happens at the same time.
John 20.23: Jesus communicates the power to forgive sins. The central point of the peace mission is in reconciliation, in the attempt to overcome the barriers that separate us: "Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained." Now this power to reconcile and forgive is given to the disciples. In the Gospel of Matthew, this same power is also given to Peter (Mt 16.19) and to the communities (Mt 18.18). A community without forgiveness and without reconciliation is not a Christian community.
Life Connections:
- From my personal reflection today, how have I connected to this Gospel passage? How is it good news for me?
- Why do you think it might be easier to forgive another after receiving the power and grace of the Holy Spirit?
- Who do you need to forgiveand what will it take to do so?
- Wherein your life can you bring the Peace that Jesus brings to others?
Come, Holy Spirit, come!
And from your celestial home
Shed a ray of light divine!
Come, Father of the poor!
Come, source of all our store!
Come, within our bosoms shine.
You, of comforters the best;
You, the soul’s most welcome guest;
Sweet refreshment here below;
In our labor, rest most sweet;
Grateful coolness in the heat;
Solace in the midst of woe.
O most blessed Light divine,
Shine within these hearts of yours,
And our inmost being fill!
Where you are not, we have naught,
Nothing good in deed or thought,
Nothing free from taint of ill.
Heal our wounds, our strength renew;
On our dryness pour your dew;
Wash the stains of guilt away:
Bend the stubborn heart and will;
Melt the frozen, warm the chill;
Guide the steps that go astray.
On the faithful, who adore
And confess you, evermore
In your sevenfold gift descend;
Give them virtue’s sure reward;
Give them your salvation, Lord;
Give them joys that never end.
Amen, Alleluia.
PENTECOST SUNDAY
May 20, 2018.