John 20:19-23
On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them 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.
Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I 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; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
Homily:
Imagine the power given to His disciples. Imagine the weight of the responsibility. Imagine the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Maybe that is why before the power, there was a prayer – “Peace be with you”. For only one of peace can manage the power of – “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
One with peace in his heart will defer to forgiveness, even when the power to retain is overwhelming.
Dear Lord, I ask for Your peace in my heart.