The disciples were together in the evening of the first day of the week. They had locked the doors for fear of the Jews. But Jesus entered and stood before them. He said, "Peace be with you."
Then he showed them his hands and his side. They were overjoyed at seeing him. Again he said, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you."
Then he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit."John 20: 19-22
How wonderful would it be if Jesus were to walk through the locked doors of my life today and bring me peace. How overjoyed would I be if I could see his face and touch his hand. How I wish he would breathe his Holy Spirit straight into my heart, to take hold of me, and create a clean heart in me, and make me a new creation. Then I would be held safely in God's loving hands. His Spirit would guide my every thought, word, and action. I would never again turn to sin, or even think of sin. I would live every moment in the presence of God. I would be aware at all times of his love surrounding me and filling my heart. I would be living the life of heaven on earth.
But the life of heaven is a grace not given to us in this world. We may be given rare, fleeting glimpses of it to kindle our hope, but the fullness of it is not yet ours. We live instead in a world alienated by sin. We live behind the locked doors of our own self-centeredness, hunkered down, fearful of the world around us, and without peace. We are the prisoner of our own sin.
When we least expect it, Jesus enters this desolate prison of our sinfulness and fills it with the light and warmth of his love. He invites us to come forth into freedom, and to walk with him on the way of peace. He sends us to our brothers and sisters, burdened like us with sin, to bring them the good news of love and forgiveness, and to welcome them to an ever widening circle of humanity empowered by the Spirit and filled with grace.
God cannot wait for us to become perfect before he sends us forth with his word. He sends us into the world as we are, weak in faith but filled with hope. We are earthen vessels bearing the treasure of his love. May we not fear, but carry this treasure joyously, so that the love of God may be known to all.
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of thy faithful, and enkindle in them the fire of thy love. Send forth thy Spirit, and they shall be created; and thou shalt renew the face of the earth.Let us pray.
O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit didst instruct the hearts of thy faithful, grant us in that same Spirit to be truly wise and ever to rejoice in His consolations, through Christ our Lord. Amen.