Reflections on Peace and Forgiveness--Lent Day 6

Reflection for Lent Day 6 (Tuesday February 23)

Theme for the Week: Confession, Forgiveness and Reconciliation

Passage for the Day: John 20:21-23

²¹ Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” ²² When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. ²³ If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

Reflection:

In the church that I serve, we read this passage from the Gospel of John during our Ash Wednesday Service as we began our Lenten Journey last week. These are powerful words in several ways.

First, Jesus tells his disciples of every time and place that his own peace is poured into them. This is the peace that will sustain them as they go about their work. Jesus is sending his original disciples out into the world in the same way that God sent him. But these words are not intended just for Jesus’ historic disciples in the First Century. Jesus calls to all of his followers, in any age, to continue his work in the world. Secondly, Jesus gives to all who continue his work, the gift of the Holy Spirit to strengthen them and lead them. Have you ever felt the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life? How does the Spirit guide and lead you? Have you ever been called on to forgive someone’s sins? Have you felt the guidance of the Holy Spirit in granting this forgiveness?

Prayer Themes: Pray for the Holy Spirit to guide and lead you. Pray for the peace of Christ in your life and the lives of those around you. Pray for those who request forgiveness of sins.