Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’” vss. 21-22
John 20:21-23
There are many passages in our scriptures about the Spirit or the Wind of God. It animates every living creature and energizes believers with wisdom and understanding. The Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness and filled him with a passion for justice and healing. And now John writes that after his resurrection, Jesus breathed the Spirit on his disciples and sent them to continue his mission. And what would be the core of that healing and restorative ministry? John spells it out in just a few words, “If you forgive the sins of any they are forgiven them, if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” And while we can debate what it might mean to retain the sins of any, there is no doubt that the followers of Jesus are to proclaim forgiveness above all else. And there are two aspects to that proclamation: forgiveness of others and forgiveness of self. Both are difficult for us to pull off, but forgiveness of self can be one of the hardest things we are ever called to do. Some would even call it impossible! At the very least, it takes enormous faith to receive this gift and take it to heart. But when it happens the resulting peace is beyond belief!
Thought for the Day: When do I have trouble forgiving myself?
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