came, and stood among them, and said to them, “Peace be with you!”
Then he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples, seeing the Lord,
were full of joy.

Again Jesus said to them, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent
me, so I send you.” After saying this, he breathed on them, and said to
them, “Receive the Holy Spirit! Those whose sins you forgive, they are
forgiven; those whose sins you retain, they are retained.”

READ: The Holy Spirit descends on the disciples at Pentecost and they are
inspired to boldly preach the Gospel. Similarly, the Spirits gives gifts to all
the faithful so that they may use those gifts for the common good, to build
up the Body of Christ. The risen Jesus appears to his disciples, fills them with
his Spirit, and sends them out to share love and mercy.

REFLECT: In business settings, it has become popular to do skills inventories
to see what benefits workers bring to the enterprise and to make sure that
these skills are used well. Today’s second reading invites us to do something
similar. We can look at the gifts the Spirit has given us. perhaps we speak or
write well. Perhaps we are able to build or labor. Perhaps we can teach or
counsel. Whatever gifts we have come from God. We are called to use those
gifts to serve not our interests, but those of our brothers and sisters, especially
those on the margins. Our gifts should bear fruit so that God’s goodness and
glory may be seen to the ends of the earth.

PRAY: Lord, help me to use my gifts to serve your people.

ACT: Prayerfully consider some type of volunteer service.

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