A Long Breath

Laura Digan April 05, 2023 2 5

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John 19:30 and John 20: 19-23 (NRSVA)

[19] 30 When Jesus had received the wine, he said, ‘It is finished.’ Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

[20] 19 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.’ 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ 22 When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.’

I was there when my beloved Granny breathed her last breath. The experience changed me forever. I could never retrieve that piece of me that was lost when she died.

When my son was born and took his first breath, I was changed forever too. For the first time in my life I understood true love, a love that never stops expanding.

When I was first touched by the breath of the Holy Spirit I was changed forever, for I knew that nothing was impossible with God and through God.

Let us breathe together friends. Close your eyes and focus on your breath.

With a long breath

Breathe out your anger,

And breathe in the never-ending love of the Lord.

Breathe out your disappointment,

And breathe in the joy of the Lord.

Breathe out all that holds you back,

And breathe in the limitless power of the Holy Spirit.