THE SPIRIT OF PEACE.

PENTECOST SUNDAY. YEAR B.
May 31, 2009.
(First reading: Acts 2:1-11) (Psalm 104:1, 24, 29-31, 34)
(Second reading: 1 Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13)
(Gospel reading: John 20:19-23)


THE SPIRIT OF PEACE.

Only those who thrive for peace can receive the Holy Spirit.
Jesus prepares his disciples to receive the Holy Spirit by telling them "Peace be with you" - twice. (John 20:19-20).

The warmongers, therefore, cannot receive the Holy Spirit, they are the ones "whose sins... are retained". On the other hand those who thrive for peace are the ones "whose sins... are forgiven" (John 20:23)

Those who seek war make themselves enemies of the Holy Spirit.

In order to receive the Holy Spirit we must have peace as individuals as a collectivity:
- Individual peace involves our personal relationship with others; and

- Collective peace involves the relationship of our nation with other nations.

No one can have individual peace without collective peace; in other words, no one can say "I have peace within myself" while one's nation wages war. Individual peace and collective peace are one and inseparable.

The coming of the Holy Spirit upon humanity makes it possible for people to continue living in the peace Jesus has brought onto us.

The Holy Spirit turns the people of God into a people of peace who can enjoy all the others gifts of the Spirit.

The people of God are the ones who can faithfully accomplish what Jesus commands: "As the Father has sent me, so I send you" (John 20:21), bring the Spirit of peace to the world.
("You cannot give what you don't have)