"Recieve the Holy Spirit" (John 20:19-23)

This Gospel passage gives us a glimpse of how the apostles spent their first Easter Sunday—hiding in a locked room. They were terrified the Romans would find them and execute them. To their surprise and great relief, Jesus appeared to them in glory and spoke words of peace. He showed them His glorious wounds as "living proof" of His Resurrection.

Then Jesus gave them a mission: "Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained" establishing the Sacrament of Penance (John 20:23). He gave them the Holy Spirit, anticipating the feast of Pentecost. Now, having authority to forgive sins, the apostles and their successors could continue Jesus' work after He returned to heaven.

Jesus' appearance to His apostles reveals the fullness of God's mercy. He also sent the Holy Spirit to them. He descended powerfully on Pentecost, the birthday of the Church. That same Spirit is gifted to us in Baptism and dwells in our souls. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal God's love to you and help you become more like Christ each day.

Growing in Faith, May 2023

17 Things the Holy Spirit Does For Us (and In Us)

Helps us (John 16:7) Convicts us of sin (John 16:8) Permanently lives in us (1 Cor. 3:16) Seals us (Eph. 1:13) Make evangelists of us (Acts 1:8) Teaches us and gives us wisdom (John 14:26) Guides us into truth (John 16:13-15) Makes us more like Christ (2 Cor. 3:18) Gives us hope (Romans 15:13) Bears fruit in us (Galatians 5:22-23) Comforts us (John 14:27) Equips us with spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12:4-7) Brings unity and oneness to the body (Eph. 4:3; 2:14-18) Makes believers new and gives eternal life (Rom. 8:10-11) Empowers us (Acts 1:8) Sanctifies us (1 Cor. 6:11) Helps us do the Father's will (Acts 8:29)