Listen

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.”

John 20:21–23

Think

What a curious thing Jesus says to the disciples at the end of this passage about sin. If we forgive someone, their sins are forgiven, but if we hold on to the sins, they are retained. Jesus does not say who retains them. Do you ever wonder if the bad feelings we have towards other people who have wronged us is what Jesus means?

Perhaps one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is our capacity to forgive. When we harbor resentment or anger towards someone, it is usually you and I who lack peace in the relationship. Again, Jesus is offering the Holy Spirit to guide his followers, sending them into the world to carry on the ministry he began, one driven by two commandments: to love God and to love our neighbors. We cannot do either very well if we cannot forgive.

What relationships do you have where you have not forgiven someone, regardless of whether they have asked or not? Is now the time to claim this gift of the Spirit?

Brian Foreman

Pray

God of mercy, forgive those who have trespassed against me. Forgive me for those whom I have trespassed against. Allow my life to be guided your Spirit of forgiveness and love. Amen.

Go

As the Spirit comforts you, give comfort to others. As the Spirit calls you, respond with your gifts. As the Spirit challenges, be the loving presence of God to the world around you.