When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week...
Context: week (7 days) – in biblical timers, meant passing of specific
time – could be 3 days, could be 10 years: a time when a sabbath had not yet
taken place.
Similar to rosary – week is phase of the journey. a spiritual week is a
time of a spiritual journey, a dedicated time and space for prayerful growth.
So: apostles, sitting alone, first day of new week – new journey. The
first day, as it were, of the rest of their lives. And Jesus was
there.
…..
First thing: first stage of journey: receive the peace that Jesus was
offering to them.
Peace, he says.
…to broken hearts, angry emotions, anxious minds, fear-filled selves.
Peace be with you.
Peace to you who experience racism, injustice, cruelty, threat of
violence.
Peace to you who deny these injustices, withhold dignity, perpetuate
discrimination, stir the pot.
Peace to you who work against broken systems, holy troublemakers, stand
up against the oppressors, speak truth even when your voice is shaking.
Peace to you who are paralyzed by fear, who don't know how to respond, who
want to retaliate, who feel so crushed that you can't breathe.
Peace be with you. On this first day of the week; on this start of the
journey. Peace.
.....
Jesus shows them his hands and side – the evidence of earthly violence
and vengeance.
All shown while he lived… A life stronger than any earthly principality
or power; a life where tears are wiped away and pain is no more.
He showed them his hands and his side; to affirm that what they saw was
not the end; but the next stage, the next phase. The next part of their
journey: that this week would be one of life.
.....
And he sent them. As the Father had sent the Son, so the Son sent the
Apostles.
Commissioned and Sent into the world: of fear, of anger, of violence; of
injustice, of closed-hearts, of destruction; of colonialism, capitalism,
corporate greed.
He sent them: bearing a new message. Of peace. Of God's goodness. Of
divine inclusion and holy invitation. Of being children of God, recipients of
inconceivable love. Of being celebrated for having been loved into creation,
bearing the image of God for all who are willing to see.
He sent them: he sends us. The Word of God sends us into the world,
commissioned, blessed, sanctified, to proclaim the Good News - of salvation, of
eternal life, of redemption and forgiveness - on that first day of the week.
The first day to start anew working toward building the kingdom in the world
around us; assured that the Kingdom is drawing near.
.....
And he forgave their sins: their rejection of him; their apathy; their
indifference; their anger.
And called on them TO forgive: all that needed forgiveness.
He reminded them that retaining sins would only hurt themselves; for the
sinner does not bear the grudge or the weight of the slight. He inspired a new
way of thinking; of polite discourse; of community-building; of shared prayer,
of collaborative efforts.
He forgave. He invited forgiveness. To move beyond the unforgiveable; to
start afresh without carrying old injuries and offences in their hearts and
minds, to see the best in everyone they encountered, to not judge based on the
past, to leave room for grace in their new journey.
On that first day of the week, the first day that they were sent beyond
the walls of that room.
.....
And he breathed upon them: bestowing the gift of the Holy Spirit. .. who
breathes new life into brokenness.
The Spirit that blows the dust off of us, rushing into our lives to
disrupt our complacency.
The Spirit who fills our lives - our rooms, our hearts, our
relationships.
The Spirit that brings fiery passion for ministry to all believers
The Spirit whose tongues of flame enlighten and enliven us to our
calling.
The Spirit that has always been in the world, and that will never leave
the world
The Spirit that speaks love in every language, for every situation, that
all may hear the Good News of God.
The Spirit that fills us - and will not be denied.
The Spirit that lightens every dark corner, and will not be overcome.
The Spirit who reminds us of the gift of salvation: and of the gift of
ministry.
The Spirit who stirs us to action, to journeying deeply, intently,
faithfully: to the glory of God.
.....
When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week...
With holy peace, with assurance of life eternal, with forgiveness, with
a purposeful sending, and with the Holy Spirit. their journey began.
The Spirit of the Lord is upon us now. Our work - our opportunity -
our week has begun. Let us breathe IN the Spirit - and live.
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