[Jesus] breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the holy Spirit.” John 20:22
The doors were locked and the disciples’ hearts were fearful. Fearful hearts are locked hearts. Locked doors and locked hearts, however, were not strong enough to prevent Jesus from lovingly breaking into their lives. Jesus breathed on his friends giving them the first fruits of the Spirit.
Later on Pentecost Day, still lacking in power but full of hope, these same disciples and probably others waited for the promise to be fulfilled—the promise of receiving the fullness of the Spirit. That they were waiting together says much about the importance of community. With fragile hope they waited. Suddenly the joyful, awesome sound of wind and fire arrive. Fearful hearts blossom with courage. The barriers that came from not understanding one another burn away with the fire of the spirit.
Surely in that moment the disciples must have remembered when Jesus came through the locked doors and breathed on them. In the mystery of eternity, you and I were present also. Whatever ups and downs we experience on our path of life, let us always remember the breath of the Spirit.
Sr. Macrina Wiederkehr, O.S.B.
Originally published June 4, 2006
