All of today’s Scripture readings focus on the sending of the Holy Spirit and the commissioning of the Apostles to go out and share that life in the spirit with all others they meet.

In the Acts of the Apostles we hear what happens on that first Pentecost when the disciples are filled with the Holy Spirit and immediately given the gift of speech in foreign languages. Then St. Paul in his letter to the Corinthians, tells them that while they have a variety of gifts to offer, they are led by the one Spirit.

You can picture the disciples as they sat in the room with the doors closed for fear that the Jews would come and try to disrupt their gathering or even arrest them. As soon as Jesus arrives the mood must have changed immediately. His first greeting was one of peace and he immediately shows them the wounds in his hands and side. So, the reaction of the disciples when they see the Lord was one of great Joy.

Jesus tells them that he is sending them out just as the Father had sent him. To help them in their task they receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Through that Spirit they will have the power to forgive sins.

At Confirmation, each of us received the gift of the Holy Spirit through the prayers and the anointing with Chrism by the Bishop. Strengthened by this enabling power of the Spirit we are challenged to move out of our comfort zones and be wounded healers to all those whose broken lives touch ours.

Fr Gerry