Monday, May 28, 2012

The Disciples Receive the Holy Spirit [Solemnity of Pentecost - May 27, 2012]


Solemnity of Pentecost [May 27, 2012]

 John 20:19-23 (or 15;26-27; 16:12-15)

19On 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.” 20When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 [Jesus] said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 22And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the holy Spirit.23Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” 
 
 Reflection

“Receive the holy Spirit.” ~ Jesus in v. 22

Scholars tell us that the first Pentecost took place during the Jewish Feast of Weeks. This was a festival at which the first fruits of the harvest were offered to God in thanksgiving. But on this particular day, instead of giving our first fruits to God, he gave his first fruit – the Holy Spirit – to us.

And what an amazing gift the spirit has been! It is his power that has kept the church on track, despite human sinfulness, for two millennia. It is his grace that has strengthened us, revealed Jesus to us, moved us to serve, and convinced us that Jesus will indeed come back to bring heaven down to earth. To put it quite simply, Pentecost is all about the fact that the Almighty God has come to live in human hearts, making ordinary people into extraordinary saints.

After Jesus rose from the dead, he appeared to the apostles and breathing on them, said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” Just as he did at Pentecost Jesus wants to breathe God’s energy into our hearts every day. The spiritual dynamic that was present at the first Pentecost, moving people to love God, to seek out holiness, and to come together as a church is still at work today.

How can we tell if this breath of God is active in our lives? We will feel energized by the Spirit, and we will want to set our sights on being like Jesus. We will feel moved to go to work for the kingdom, relying on the Spirit’s power and guidance. We will try to be more loving, more kind, and more patient.

Right now, stop and take a few deep breaths. In your mind, imagine yourself breathing in the Spirit and breathing out your sin. Picture yourself accepting the Lord and his plans and visions. Know that what you are breathing in is pure, holy, and intoxicating. Jesus has great plans for every member of his church. And that includes you!

Reflection Credits: the WORD among us

Source: The Reflection is from Bro. Abel Navarro (you can visit his blog at http://myblogabelnavarroabel.blogspot.com/).

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