Reflection for Sunday May 28, Solemnity of Pentecost: John 20:19-23

Gospel: John 20:19-23

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.”

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Reflection:

The story is told about a man who was walking with the Lord on the seashore. When things were OK he noticed two sets of footprints one was his and the other was the Lord. However, when he encountered problems he noticed that it was only his footprints that were present on the seashore.

So, he asked the Lord: Why is it when I was in dire need of you, you were not there for me? The Lord said to him I was there all along with you through the Holy Spirit. I never left you. When you saw only your footprints it was the Holy Spirit who was with you.

Awareness of the Holy Spirit’s presence in our life is something personal that God gives us. It’s actually a gift that God has given us when we were Baptized and strengthened during Confirmation. And since then it has been with us walking with us side by side. But sometimes we don’t feel the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit; the reason behind is our sinfulness, inconsistent prayer life and lack of faith.

When we sin we obstruct the Holy Spirit’s presence within us, when we are not prayerful we close ourselves to the Holy Spirit’s many gifts. And when we are lacking in faith we prevent the Holy Spirit to make a positive impact in our life. Thus, it’s actually us who disallow the Holy Spirit to freely move within us and make a positive impact in our life.  

In the gospel passage for this Sunday, the disciples were in the upper room. The doors were locked because they were praying and at the same time hiding from the Jewish authorities who were running after them. Then suddenly out of nowhere Jesus appeared to them and said: “Peace be with you (John 20:21).” Jesus said this twice and after a while he said these very profound words to them, Receive the Holy Spirit (John 20:22).”

This is the same Holy Spirit that Jesus wants you to receive today.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas