(John 20:19-23)

Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” And 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.” (NKJV)

We’re reminded of our calling to evangelize and be Apostles, preaching the Word of God.  Jesus greets his friends and disciples with “Peace be with you”.  He is setting the foundation on which the Apostle’s ministries would need to be established.  We must first have peace within ourselves and then we must display the servant leader behaviors by treating others with the love and humility that Jesus showed to even his enemies.  We’re challenged to forgive others and help them find the righteous path back to the Lord.  We’re reminded that the Holy Spirit is a gift from God to guide us and give us strength.  Often, in Christianity, followers and outsiders alike will get wrapped up in trying to understand the miracle of the Holy Trinity.  How can God the Father, God the Son (Jesus) and God the Holy Spirit all be one person?  We further find Christians and outsiders alike challenged to understand how the essence of Jesus becomes fulfilled in the Eucharist and Wine.  These are all great mysteries but we must look at these with the right set of eyes in order to grasp their incredible significance.

Jesus tells his disciples that when they eat the bread and drink the cup, they are feeding their soul with the essence of Jesus – the Christ.  Each time we receive communion, we are renewed and each time is a new and unique experience.  We have repeated opportunities to receive Jesus within us and nourish our souls.  In a way of example, we find that we as people, change as we age.  Our hair color may gray.  We gain or lose weight.  We grow taller.  But, who we are inside, never changes.  In the case of Jesus and the Holy Eucharist, Jesus’ form changes but the essence of who He is remains the same.

In the case of the Holy Trinity, we are reminded of 3 sides of the one God. Similarly, a parent is a mom or dad, a son or daughter and a husband or wife.  The same person is different things without being a different person.  We find God becoming the Trinity because it is the best way for Him to reach those who need Him.  God is who He needs to be for you.  All that God asks of us is to love Him above all things.  A child may love his toy but his love for his toy is dwarfed by his love for his mother or father.  There are many ways to love.  Jesus asks us to love others.  He asks us to forgive others.  He asks us to put the greater good forward rather than allow the individual elements to add up and become an obstacle.

By receiving the Holy Spirit… being “clothed in the Holy Spirit”, the disciples become Apostles and are now able to carry on the ministry.  Just like a carpenter can not build without tools, the disciples could not become Apostles (witnesses) without the Holy Spirit (their tools).

“I give you a new commandment… Love one another”.