Gospel – 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.”
Reflection on the Gospel
Let us remember that we are in the holy presence of God.
Fear and sin are the banes of human existence. They never go away. Sometimes they are less powerful and sometimes more. How can one achieve peace in the midst of these troubles? It is not possible to “achieve.” It is a gift – the great gift of the Holy Spirit. Spend some time letting Jesus breathe upon you. Receive the Holy Spirit. Let fear and sin take a back place. Now go out and forgive the sins of others so that you can help them let fear and sin take a back place in their lives, too.
Saint John Baptist de La Salle – Pray for us.
Live, Jesus, in our hearts – Forever.