Gospel: Jn 20:19–23
(or Jn 15:26–27; 16:12–15)
On the evening of that day, the first day after the Sabbath, the doors were locked where the disciples
were, because of their fear of the Jews. But Jesus came, and stood among them, and said to them,
“Peace be with you!” Then he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples, seeing the Lord, were full of joy.
Again Jesus said to them, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” After saying this, he
breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit! Those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven; those
whose sins you retain, they are retained.”
Lectio Divina:
READ: Jesus promised to send the Spirit when He is gone. The Spirit will witness
to His truth and lead the disciples to the truth. This is because the Spirit will
speak only about Jesus’ truth. The Spirit will take from Jesus and make it known
to Jesus’ disciples in return.
REFLECT: Jesus in going back to the Father will not leave behind those He
love as orphans. They will not be alone. A Helper will be sent to be the abiding
presence of Jesus and the Father in the hearts of all who believe Him. Thus, the
Spirit is a comforting presence. It will not invent new teachings but will only
remind us of what Jesus taught before. It is, therefore, a Spirit of continuity. It’s
a wonder therefore that some people invoke the authority of the Spirit to spew
new and strange teachings. The Spirit of Jesus does not divide the believers.
The spirit of the evil one brings anarchy. Therefore, the true mark of the genuine
Spirit of Jesus is continuity of His teachings. The Spirit also unites believers into
one community who listen and follow Jesus’ teachings.
RESPOND: When was the last time you prayed to the Holy Spirit? For the Holy
Spirit is the most neglected Person of the Holy Trinity. Perhaps it is high time
to start a conversation with the Spirit of Truth so that we will not stray far from
the truth of God.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2021