Pentecost, the 50th day after the Sabbath of Passover week, is also know as the Feast of Weeks or the Feast of Harvest or the day of the latter first fruits. It’s traditionally a day of celebration of what the Lord has given, both the harvest and the Torah.
On this same feast day, we find the disciples gathered together behind locked doors.
You are invited to join the disciples behind your own locked doors. Gently and curiously notice what that space feels like for you. Perhaps you can sense freshly for words, metaphors and pictures which describe what it is like for you to be there in this moment. Become present to how it is for you. Notice your breath in this moment and simply join Jesus in being compassionately present to whatever feelings or sensations are there. Savor the breath of God breathing in and through you. Linger. Relish in this tender moment with the Spirit.
John 20:19-23 (NLT)
That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said. As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord! Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
John 20:19-23 (MSG)
Later on that day, the disciples had gathered together, but, fearful of the Jews, had locked all the doors in the house. Jesus entered, stood among them, and said, “Peace to you.” Then he showed them his hands and side.
The disciples, seeing the Master with their own eyes, were awestruck. Jesus repeated his greeting: “Peace to you. Just as the Father sent me, I send you.”
Then he took a deep breath and breathed into them. “Receive the Holy Spirit,” he said. “If you forgive someone’s sins, they’re gone for good. If you don’t forgive sins, what are you going to do with them?”
For Reflection and Prayer:
Was there a word, a phrase, image, or feeling that ‘shimmered’ as you listened? Allow it to land in your heart. Stay with it. Savor it.
Reflect on what you heard. What effect does it have on you? What meaning does it hold for you? What does the Holy Spirit seem to be conveying to you? Talk it over in your prayer. Perhaps you want to draw or color your prayer or journal the conversation.
As the time of prayer comes to a close, share some moments of quiet with Jesus, simply resting safely in his presence.
