Jesus said, “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.
John 20.21-23
In this gospel, the whole community of believers receives peace and the power to forgive. If the community graciously shares the peace and forgiveness Jesus bestows on them, then the Spirit lives in their midst. It is not the twelve disciples who have a priority on the commission to forgive. Forgiveness, like love and peace, is the community’s to share, for we are the Body of Christ. The commission is ours.Who have you forgiven? How has forgiving or being forgiven renewed you, your family, parish community, or work place?
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