Every Breath
Pentecost. Fr David Rocks meditates upon the breath of Christ.
Some weeks ago, when out for an early May morning walk, a companion remarked that it is amazing that we can still ‘see our breath’ even in May! She referred, of course, to that kind of cold weather during which the warm breath that comes out of our bodies turns to thin clouds of moisture before disappearing once again. Our breath is visible for a short time before it becomes part of the atmosphere, hidden again from our eyes. To breathe is the first action when we emerge from the womb, and the last when we depart from this life – much consideration goes into what must be done before our final breath.
At the beginning of creation, the Spirit breathed over the chaos. From that life-giving breath came the entire beauty of creation. God and creation are entangled in an eternal mystery of creative love, renewed by every breath. Into that beauty came the chaos of sin and disobedience, brokenness and disappointment. From that emerged a love story of redemption and return from original sin to original glory.
The first breaths of a newborn baby are accompanied by cries of joy and frustration. Imagine the Virgin nursing the newborn Jesus at Bethlehem when arrived the Magi with gold, frankincense, myrrh. Might that have taken her breath away, for an instant, as she recalls the extent of her mission as a Mother. She who was there when first he drew breath is there also on Good Friday, when he breathed his last and gave up the Spirit. ‘It is finished.’
His disciples had spent much time listening to every word he breathed. Something amazing was led before them: they saw it, they believed. But his last breath? It is finished?
Chaos ensues – running quickly, hiding for rest. Breathlessness, rapidity even. No time to recover. Trying to regroup and find shelter and refuge until escape is possible. Words spoken in anxious breath, deep inhalation in case the next moment is going to bring the disaster. Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you’.
He shows them his hands and his sides – the wounds that took his breath away. What hideous memories are recalled of those terrifying moments. Now is time for peace – whatever that is.
He breathes on them. In that moment, he breathes the warm breath of life over them. Exhaling, just as he did for the ‘last time’ on Friday, so he exhales for an eternity – new life and to its fulness. Breathing courage into chaos, clarity into confusion. With their breath they must now breath his words in the new life of the Holy Spirit.
‘Receive the Holy Spirit. For those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven. For those whose sins you retain, they are retained.’ In this way can we receive the ‘Spirit of truth’, the spirit which will abide with us for ever. The Holy Spirit is there in every breath which carries the message of the Gospel. The tongues of fire are enkindled within the hearts of the Apostles, and warm their breath as they bring forth the Word to the ends of the earth.
In each of our lives, in times of chaos, uncertainty, achievement, each of us has the opportunity to share in the mystery of forgiveness. We are no longer trapped in limitation, mistake, grief, disappointment. Those whose sins we forgive are forgiven. We must also bear witness to the Gospel of course in the face of injustice, division, conflict – those whose sins we retain, they are retained. In these moments, we don’t give in to complete condemnation of others, but preach a message of repentance.
So we can still see his breath, it wasn’t the last time on the Cross. Here in this place we can receive the Holy Spirit, and with our every breath proclaim the Gospel to the ends of the earth.
Readings: Acts 2:1-11 | 1 Corinthians 12:3-7,12-13 | John 20:19-23
