Sunday April 23, 2006

Text for the Day -- John 20:19-23
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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.'

Devotional
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Mary Magdalene had seen the Lord in the garden. She told the others.
Now they saw for themselves. Jesus greeted them in peace. He then
gave them their orders after he had breathed on them and gave them
the Holy Spirit. Their task was to proclaim forgiveness to the
penitent and refrain from forgiving those hearts that were still
hardened and unrepentant.

Prayer
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Give me courage to speak of your forgiving love to those seeking
consolation, O Lord. Amen