First reading: Acts of the 2:1–11
When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.
Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem. At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd, but they were confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. They were astounded, and in amazement they asked, “Are not all these people who are speaking Galileans? Then how does each of us hear them in his native language? We are Parthians, Medes, and Elamites, inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya near Cyrene, as well as travelers from Rome, both Jews and converts to Judaism, Cretans and Arabs, yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God.”

“Peace be with you.” When he said this, he showed them His hands and His side. – JN 20: 19-20

Holy Gospel according to John 20:19–23

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. 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.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”

Pentecost…50 days after Easter… the Descent of the Holy Spirit…. or God’s breath... Descending upon the Apostles and Mary… hovering over them like tongues of fire…filling them with the Spirit… God’s Spirit…His Truth ….giving birth to the Church. It is the same Spirit that hovered over the vast dark oceans … all the way at the beginning of Genesis, when there was nothing but darkness and water…There was God’s breath... stirring the waters with life…

It is this same breath moving through the disciples that brings to completion Christ’s mission on earth… By filling them with His Spirit… His Holy breath… which is Truth… His  Church is filled with Life… True life...Offering the faithful His message of peace for all who allow themselves to be filled with this same breath … of the Holy Spirit…  which has been around since the beginning of time… moving  oceans… moving mountains… moving us…

Breathe on me, Oh Breath of God,
fill me with life anew,
that I may love what thou dost love,
and do what thou wouldst do. – Edwin Hatch – 1878