April 11th - Reflection

Reading
Second Sunday of Easter
John 20:19-31 (NRSV)
Beholding the wounds of the risen Christ

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then 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." When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."

But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe."

A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe." Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe."

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.

Reflection
The resurrected Christ always brings peace. "Peace be with you." Jesus would bring peace and a patience of understanding. This was a big thing, and it's so important we get on the right track with it. Jesus brings peace and the same mission that the Father had given the Son. The Father sent Jesus and now Jesus sends the disciples. But first there is peace and then the blowing of the Spirit.

A new creation is born. In the beginning a wind from God swept over the formless void and now once again, through the love and peace of Jesus, the breath of our Lord and Savior, Jesus, blows over the disciples. And they are sent. Sent as the Father sent the Son, so now the Son sends the disciples.

Disciples sent with the breath of the Holy Spirit as new creations on a mission from Jesus. Oh, how that baptism comes to mind! Claimed as a Child of God, wet with the waters of creation and the breath of the pastor proclaiming the presence of the Holy Spirit to this Child of God. A new creation is born. A creation that grows and learns and is filled with the Spirit and the presence of God. A creation that is called as a Disciple of Jesus to Go! Go, as the Father sent the Son, so the Son sends the Children of God. Go! My child go! Go, in peace and proclaim the love God has shown to you from the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Go, filled with the breath and Spirit of God! Go!

Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, I recall my baptism daily. I feel that breath of the Spirit enter into my life daily and I go. Go as you send me each day. Go to live and proclaim the hope and love you have shown through Jesus. Go! --- Amen