Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 20,19-23
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, «Peace be with you.»
When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
(Jesus) said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”
And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the holy Spirit.
Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”
Pentecost is the coming of the HOLY SPIRIT of God as the Spirit of PEACE, and HARMONY
1) He Comes at a moment of uncertainty. Although they saw the Risen Christ, listened to his words and even shared a meal with him, they had not overcome their doubts and fears: they met behind closed doors, and were uncertain about the future and not ready to proclaim the risen Lord publicly. Like us – right now- they were living in fear, agitation, hostility from what was around them. Our frenzied world is so divided, high strung and hate-filled, especially with what we hear in the news of the prejudice and discrimination. We are also worried about our business, economy, homes, loved ones, our future.
2) The Holy spirit transforms everything. The Spirit is peace in the midst of restlessness, confidence in the midst of discouragement, joy in sadness, courage in the hour of trial. HOW? The Holy Spirit did not make things easier for the Apostles- Rome was still oppressing them. He didn’t work spectacular miracles, or take away their difficulties and their opponents. In fact the coming of the Holy Spirit didn’t change anything exteriorly. It was an INSIDE JOB. Like all of us- Deep down, in their hearts, the disciples needed to be changed, transformed, filled- completed. They needed the spirit of peace which gives harmony to our soul and unites us with God and others. Jesus repeats the words, “Peace be with you!” and bestows true – Godly peace -A peace which does not have to do with resolving outward problems – God does not spare his disciples from tribulation and persecution. Rather, His peace does not bring freedom from problems but in problems. He did not eliminate storms but promised to be with us during the storm.
3) Pope Francis shared last year how Amid the stormy currents of a life turned upside down, The Holy Spirit lowers the anchor of hope “If we are Filled with this peace, our hearts are like a deep sea, which remains peaceful, even when its surface is swept by waves. It is a harmony so profound that it can even turn persecutions into blessings. Yet how often we choose to remain on the surface! Rather than seeking the Spirit, we try to keep afloat, thinking that everything will improve once this or that problem is over, once I no longer see that person, once things get better. But to do so is to stay on the surface: when one problem goes away, another arrives, and once more we grow anxious and ill at ease. Avoiding those who do not think as we do will not bring serenity. Resolving momentary problems will not bring peace. What makes a difference is the peace of Jesus, the harmony of the Spirit.” Without the Spirit, Jesus remains an historical person from the past; with the Spirit, he is a living person alive in our own time. Without the Spirit, Scripture is a dead letter; with the Spirit it is a word of life. A Christianity without the Spirit is joyless moralism; with the Spirit, it is true life.
May God bless you in the name of the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Always remember Heaven is our goal.
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