Gospel Reading for Pentecost   June 8, 2014

John 20:19-23

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." After he said this, he 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 the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."

Reflections: This year I am particularly struck by Christ’s words, “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” Once again, the assumption that “holy” work is the domain of the clergy. There is nothing more holy than granting forgiveness, but Christ places this great power into our hands. What is our work in the world?