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The Athenaeum of Ohio
The Archdiocese
of Cincinnati |
Sister Betty Jane Lillie
He breathed on them
Second Sunday of Easter, Acts 4:32-35, 1 John 5:1-6, John 20:19-31
The disciples received the spiritual life of the new creation in Jesus. In
John's Gospel, the basic theme of the new creation is noted from the
very first words of the book. In our Gospel reading for today, the idea is
communicated in the words, "He breathed on them."
We remember the figure of breath in the second creation story where it
communicated natural life when the Lord breathed into the man who then
became a living being (Genesis 2:7). There is a similarity with the
Genesis language, but, in John, the life that is breathed into the
disciples is the Holy Spirit. It is a new kind of life by which the church
is enlivened and continues to live by the Holy Spirit, the breath of
Jesus.
"Peace be with you." Jesus said it twice. The first time it was
His greeting that restored their equilibrium after their fear at His loss.
The second time it was the context of His commissioning of them to take up
the role of doing what he had done. The Greek word for "apostle"
carries the connotation of being sent with power to do what the sender
would do if He were historically present. Jesus spelled that out for them
by giving them the marvelous power to forgive sins. Thomas had not been
with the others on that occasion.
A week later, Jesus appeared again and used the same greeting. Then Thomas
was present, and Jesus would dispel the fear and possibly the delusion
that generated Thomas' doubt. What could be more convincing than the
instruction to put his finger and his hand into Jesus' wounds? Sight and
touch were the human actions that sparked a renewal of Thomas' faith.
Jesus drew the apostle to himself in love and mercy, and He gently focused
His faith beyond what can be seen and touched.
Jesus did many signs to bring people to recognize His messianic identity
(John 20:31). Those who believe that Jesus is the Christ are born of God
(1 John 5:1). Through grace we participate in some way in Christ's
victory over the world and thus come into the eternal kingdom.
As the early community of Jesus' followers embarked on its journey to
the heavenly kingdom, they pursued the expression of their faith in their
daily life. Luke gives us an idealized summary statement in our first
reading that describes a complete sharing of goods. Some think that
practice may have existed for a short time in Jerusalem. However, Act
5:1-11 makes it clear that it was not historically required for membership
in the community. It is more to the point to focus on the peoples' unity
of heart and soul and their concern for the less fortunate among them.
Also, Acts 2:42 relates that the members devoted themselves to the
apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and prayer.
Following the Psalmist's thought, we say that the Lord has become our
salvation. We rejoice and are glad about his wonderful works of grace in
our lives (Psalms 118).
(Sister Lillie is a member of the faculty at the Athenaeum of Ohio in
Cincinnati.)
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