Pentecost

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.”
John 20:19-23 (NAB)

Prayer

Dear Father you sent them Jesus and Jesus gave them the Holy Spirit to continue the work of love and forgiveness. You sent them tongues of fire to teach them so they too can teach others. May we also receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, to learn to grow and to love and forgive our neighbors. May our hearts burn with the desire to forgive the smallest of transgressions as the Father forgives us. May we live in peace and love and live the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Peace be with you.

(from the archives)