Pentecost Reflection
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Gospel Reflection for Pentecost Sunday John 20:19-23
~Sr. Diane Baumann, New London, WI
“Peace be with you. As God has sent me, so I send you.” Having said this, Jesus breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit...” (John 20:21&22)
Jesus' words from the Pentecost gospel seem to indicate that the first step to receiving the Spirit is opening ourselves to Jesus' peace. A peaceful heart is often challenging to acquire, but perhaps we can be helped by realizing that peace is Jesus' gift to us, freely given, no strings attached. As Jesus wishes us peace, He reassures us that His ever-abiding presence will bring us that peace.
Experiences of peace are meant to be shared. Jesus sends us to bring that inner peace to others in our own unique way, and then He breathes the Spirit into us. The gifts of the Spirit empower us for mission. “There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.” (Second reading – I Corin. 12::4-7)
In 2002 Rick Warren wrote the best-selling book, The Purpose Driven Life – What On Earth Am I Here For? He challenged his readers to use what God gave them and to think like a servant. This invitation applies to all of us, in whatever walk of life we embrace. We may need to spend a life-time surfacing our God-given gifts, but it is never too late to put those gifts into action. Hungry neighbors and a hungry world are waiting. Come, Holy Spirit!