WATCH/ LISTEN: Pentecost Sunday, May 19, 2024.

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THE YOUNG AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST SHORT GOSPEL REFLECTION:

In today's Gospel, John 20:19-23, we encounter the disciples locked in a room, paralyzed by fear and uncertainty. The risen Christ appears among them, and His first words are "Peace be with you." This greeting is more than a simple salutation; it is a profound gift, an offering of peace that transcends their immediate circumstances and calms their inner turmoil. Jesus' next action is to show them His hands and side, tangible proofs of His resurrection. This gesture reassures the disciples of His identity and victory over death, transforming their fear into joy. It is a pivotal moment that shifts their understanding and emboldens their faith.

Jesus then commissions them with the words, "As the Father has sent me, so I send you." This sending is accompanied by a remarkable act: He breathes on them, saying, "Receive the Holy Spirit." This breath, reminiscent of the breath of life given to Adam, signifies a new creation. It empowers the disciples to continue Jesus' mission, armed with the Holy Spirit's guidance and strength.

Moreover, Jesus grants them the authority to forgive sins: "If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." This authority underscores the transformative power of the Holy Spirit working through them, enabling them to bring reconciliation and healing to the world.

On this Pentecost Sunday, we are reminded of our own call to be instruments of peace and reconciliation. Just as the disciples were sent forth, we too are commissioned to spread the Good News, fortified by the Holy Spirit. The peace that Jesus offers is not a passive or fleeting sentiment but an active force that compels us to move beyond our fears and uncertainties.

As we reflect on this Gospel, let us consider how we can embody the peace of Christ in our daily lives. How can we be agents of forgiveness and reconciliation in our communities? How can we allow the Holy Spirit to work through us to bring healing and hope to a world in need?

Christ is the ONLY answer, Always and Forever!

May we, like the disciples, open our hearts to receive the Holy Spirit anew, and may we go forth with courage and conviction, proclaiming the life-giving message of the risen Christ. "Peace be with you"—a peace that transforms, empowers, and sends us forth to be Christ's presence in the world.

#PentecostSunday

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May the Divine Word made flesh, be with you always and in all ways!

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“We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.” (2Cor. 5:20)