Resurrection Appearance

One of today's lectionary texts is John 20:19ff in which Jesus appears to the disciples after His resurrection.


The doors are locked.
  The disciples are gathered.
    Fear permeates the room.
The doors still locked
  When Jesus suddenly appears
    "Peace be with you."
He shows His hands
  And His pierced side.
    Fear dispensed. Now: joy!
"Peace be with you.
  The Father sent me,
    So I send you."
Jesus breathes on them,
  His Spirit poured out,
   Equipping them for work.
To forgive others, even
  Those who crucified Him.
    They are to forgive;
Not evangelize or convert,
  But to forgive sinners
    Like you, like me.