tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22980286.post1051905632415810730..comments2024-03-28T10:26:20.408-04:00Comments on Ponderings on a Faith Journey: I Believe in the Resurrection -- A Lectionary MeditationRobert Cornwallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04581876323110725024noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22980286.post-90264251721161196762011-04-28T09:22:18.166-04:002011-04-28T09:22:18.166-04:00I am always intrigued by the use of Jesus breath t...I am always intrigued by the use of Jesus breath to give new life andd new powers to the disciples. There again the the Spirit (breath, wind) of God mving over the chaos, moving through world - we have only to draw it in to receive the new life promised to us. <br /><br />Just as intriguing is the nature of the power granted by the Spirit, the power to forgive. Of all the powers Jesus could have granted, he chose to grant the power to forgive. What will we do with it? Are we even able to grasp its significance? As Christians do we even take the time to examine this gift? As I look at those Christians around me, look into my own heart, I have to ask myself, do I truly comprehend that the one power Jesus saw fit to give to his disciples was the power to forgive? Not to heal, not to convert, not to rule, not to make money, not to fly, not to speak in tongues, not to prophesy - but the power to forgive!<br /><br />I am also moved by the image of the Risen Lord,WITH SCARS. When we think of resurrected and glorified bodies it is easy to imagine that we will have jetiisoned the crippling wounds, emotional and physical, of this life. But the fact that Jesus' resurrected body continues to carry his earthly wounds suggests to me that we too will bear wounds, wounds to be healed with the leaves of the trees of the new Kingdom, but still, the scars will remain. The scars that form us, that formed our personal histories, that combine to define each of as unique beings. It suggests to me that we will not lose our identities, nor will we forget what we have endured during our earthly journeys. It suggests to me that we will not forget those whom we have left behind.<br /><br />And I am heartened by the teaching to Thomas, who is our proxy. He doubts until he sees and touches the wounds of the Risen Lord. Is this not exactly who we are? Do we not daily ask for confirmation that our hopes and our faith is trustworthy, that our Lord is real, and present among us, breathing his healing spirit on and among us? <br /><br />And he is blessed in all his doubt.Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06245470576919732592noreply@blogger.com