Sent in the manner…

The disciples are afraid and lock themselves into a room. When Jesus appears and speaks peace to them, Thomas is not there. Thomas must be either fearless, or brave (feels fear, but has left the locked room anyway). After speaking peace into their fear, Jesus assures the gathered disciples that he sends them in the same manner as God the Parent has sent him. According to John’s gospel, God the Parent sends Jesus into the world out of love for “the whole world”; sending Jesus not to condemn the world, but to offer liberation. To empower the disciples for their mission of love and liberation, Jesus breathes the Spirit into them. To extend a path of healing for the trauma they have witnessed and experienced, Jesus encourages them to practice forgiveness. Eight days later, Jesus offers the same to Thomas as well. Today, we too are offered peace for our fear, the Holy Spirit for our mission to love the world, and forgiveness as a practice and path of healing.