March 14, 2004	Read John 20:19
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.”
THERE IS FORGIVENESS As we travel toward Easter, we are getting closer to the central mystery of our faith -- the resurrection of the God made flesh and offered for our sins. The witnesses to his resurrection are here presented with the previously unbelievable fact that death can be overcome and sins paid for and forgiven. They see Jesus as the Christ who passes through the protective enclosure, physical and spiritual, and enters amongst them. He shows them that he really did suffer and then shares his peace. Imagine the disciples in fear in a locked room, suddenly seeing some one entering through their defenses and then their relief and joy when it is their Lord. Christ’s peace does, however, come with attachments. It is given freely and "blown on us.”  We are then sent like him so that others may share in this gift. Not alone, but with faith and the Holy Spirit to support us in the difficult task of deciding forgiveness. For if we do not forgive, there is no forgiveness! The more I read this passage, the more I have to concentrate on the last sentence and ask myself the question: What would Christ have done.... The joy of Easter and the presence of our resurrected Lord give the difficult answer easily: Love and forgive as he loves and forgives us, seventy times seventy and more. Dear Lord! Please enter my life and, as Jesus did on that first evening, have him come through all my walls and defenses.  Send me to do your tasks and give me your peace and spirit as guidance at all times! DR. STEEN MORTENSEN

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