Divine Mercy Sunday

Jesus showed them his hands and his side.  Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.  Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you.  As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”  When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them,” Receive the Holy Spirit.  If you forgive sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain sins of any, they are retained.”

As an Obstetrics nurse for many years, and one who has attended hundreds of births, it was always that first breath and then the cry that would follow, when we held our own breath. Almost always that breath came spontaneously.  Sometimes it needed a little assistance.  Breath. ( Ruach in Hebrew). The very air we breathe gives Life.

Jesus breathes on the disciples and into that very air the Holy Spirit is given. This breath is the Spirit of Forgiveness and Mercy; the ability to touch another’s wounds. Divine Mercy; the offering of Peace.

Richard Rohr writes, “ … if you have never experienced your own need for mercy, never had a need for forgiveness of a friend or to apologize for something you’ve done wrong, you likely don’t know that wounds can be turned into grace, that crucifixions can be turned into resurrections.”

We have in Mercy, in this breath, the power to touch our own wounds; to bind up the wounds of others.  In all these “ tomb experiences” this week the message has been to be sent out; to boldly give witness to Mercy and Forgiveness; to breathe on others the grace of this Holy Spirit. To breathe Love.