Act 2:1-11
1 Cor 12:3b-7.12-13
Jn 20:19-23
I do not know which of the two divine visits evoked in today’s readings is more surprising, more unexpected. Is it the coming of Jesus on the evening of Easter “the doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews”? Or is it “the rush of a mighty wind” filling “all the house where” the disciples were sitting? Is it the visit of the Risen Lord or the visit of the Holy Spirit?
But maybe they should not be compared, because they cannot be separated. For the Risen Lord brings the Spirit together with Him: “Receive the Holy Spirit”, says Jesus. As for the Spirit, He inspires Peter to proclaim: “This Jesus God raised up […] and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured out this which you see and hear.” (Act 2:32.33)
In one word, the Spirit is the Spirit of Jesus, the Spirit of the Risen Christ. He comes from Jesus, raised at the right of the Father. He radiates from Jesus’ whole being. Jesus’ words, His body, His presence are filled with the Spirit. He gives the Spirit to all who believe in His resurrection. Today’s feast belongs to Easter. The gift of the Spirit is the fruit of Jesus’ resurrection. At the end of the Mass, we shall sing Ite, missa est with a double Alleluia, just as we did on Easter day.
The visit of the Risen Lord giving us His Spirit this morning is, at the same time, a peaceful gift and a powerful movement. The Spirit is a gift: “Peace be with you”. The Spirit is given to usm for peace has been made between God and us, sinners, once for all, by the sacrifice of the Cross. Jesus has acquired for us reconciliation and peace. He has gained for us the gift of forgiveness. Now he hands this over to the Church: “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven.” Peace and reconciliation must be shared with others. If you have been reconciled with God, if your sins have been forgiven, then you are sent as heralds and ministers of God’s reconciliation in the power of His Spirit.
See the Apostles: they were sitting and praying quietly in the upper room, together with Mary. Once they have received the Spirit of Jesus, they immediately begin to preach the gospel. They initiate a powerful and irresistible movement which will lead the Church to the extremities of the world.
What is this power at work first in Jesus and now in the Church? What is the energy which passes from the Risen Lord to the Church in the Spirit? Who is this Spirit of inner peace and, at the same time, of zeal for the mission? Who is the Spirit who puts our hearts at rest because our sins are forgiven, and, at the same time, creates in us a constant unrest because the Gospel must be proclaimed to the world today?
Who are you Spirit of God bringing God’s forgiveness into our hearts and sending us into the world? Who are you dwelling in us, as the very best Friend, and sending us as missionaries, as a powerful Master?
Your name is Truth, for you seal with your presence the revelation of the true God. In your light, we are given to see in faith the glory of the Father on the face of the Crucified and Risen Lord.
Your name is Love, for you confirm by the Gift that you are, the divine generosity of the Father who “so loved the world that He gave His only Son” (Jn 3:16).
You are the Fruit of the Tree of Life. Whoever eats of this fruit will never die, but become a gift of love to his brethren, to the glory of the Father who gives, of the Son who is given, and of the Spirit who is the Gift.
Glory to you, Spirit of Jesus, risen from the dead, and Gift of the Father! Come in us as you came on Mary and the Apostles! Dwell in the Church and kindle our heart with the fire of your divine love. Amen. Alleluia!