5/28/2023 (Sunday) Today’s gospel reading: John 20:19-23
19 It was late that Sunday evening, and the disciples were gathered together behind locked doors, because they were afraid of the Jewish authorities. Then Jesus came and stood among them. “Peace be with you,” he said.
20 After saying this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were filled with joy at seeing the Lord.
21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so I send you.”
22 Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
23 If you forgive people’s sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
5/28/2023 (Sunday) Today’s gospel reflection: John 20:19-23
Peace, commission, Holy Spirit, and forgiveness – these are the themes of the gospel reading above. Jesus gives peace, not as the world gives (John 14:27), but peace that is experienced even in the midst of fear and trouble because of His presence. Take note at how His disciples were filled with joy upon seeing the Lord. Previously, He promised them that they will not leave them orphaned but that He will come back again. Now He is back! He is truly faithful to His promises.
With peace, Jesus commissioned His Apostles to go forth and continue what He started. They are not to worry about anything because the Holy Spirit, which was also promised before His suffering and death, is now with them. They are now given the power and the authority to make decisions with regards to the fulfillment of their mission.
A little caution needs to be exercised about understanding the last verse. Forgiving and retaining sin must be taken in the context of accepting and believing the gospel. The specific mission of His Apostles was to spread the gospel to all nation. If people are converted, their sins are forgiven. If they reject the message, their sins are retained because they will remain estranged from God.
Indeed, the Apostles were transformed upon receiving the Holy Spirit. From being fearful and lacking of wisdom, they became bold evangelizers and ministers of the gospel. Most of them endured persecutions and violent death in the course of witnessing for Jesus. Let us pray that their missionary zeal may be alive today in you and in me. Amen.
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