After the death of Jesus, the disciples were distraught and defeated. They were frightened, disappointed and confused. They locked themselves behind closed doors. However, something amazing changed them. Suddenly, joy and happiness overcame them. They saw Jesus alive, Jesus risen! And Jesus breathed the gift of the Spirit of Love of the Father and the Son on them. How this transformed them! The
lives and preaching of this handful of people changed the course of human history.
Jesus breathing on them reminds us of the creation story in Genesis: "The earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep; and the Spirit of God was moving over the face of the waters” (Gen 1:1-2). Creation is initiated in this power of the Spirit. Here, Jesus initiates a new creation, of which we are a part.
Jesus is raised from the tomb three days after he has been crucified and died. In this Gospel, the risen Jesus appears to the disciples. He gives the disciples and each of us a mission. The gift of the Holy Spirit inspires and empowers us to share the Good News of reconciliation and forgiveness. This is the task of the Holy Spirit: universal reconciliation by offering God's redeeming love. And now, this is our challenge, too.
We are called to bring God's light into the darkness of our world. Will we open ourselves to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit? How will we express this gift?
“...bringing the many gifts of my Spirit. I come with my mercy, with my desire to forgive and heal you, and with a love for you beyond your comprehension – a love every bit as great as the love I have received from
the Father.”
(‘I Thirst For You’ excerpt, attributed to St Teresa of Calcutta)
Reflections by Kath Knowles
