Healing Rays of Righteousness

Today another “Ash Wednesday” begins the annual 40 days of “Lent” during which we are encouraged to give serious thought regarding our relationship with Jesus, as we  journey with him toward his death and resurrection on “Easter Sunday.” 

Two questions that will focus our self-reflections are; 1) In what ways has my love for God deepened and become more precious? and 2) In what ways have my attitudes and behaviors become more like Jesus? Sincere pondering of these questions will energize our efforts toward becoming a better Jesus-follower in our world of relationships.

“Take a deep breath and count to ten” was the advice that I gave to my children whenever they became upset or angry because of what was said or done to them. Unfortunately, I did not always follow my own advice and instead said or done things I later regretted.

But this may also be good advice as we review our relationship with God during the past months. I am reminded of this advice whenever I hear the words of Jesus recorded in John 20:21-23, “Again Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.’ And with that he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.’”

This surprise visit by Jesus was more than just a friendly, neighborly visit to confirm His aliveness. It was a life-changing mission-sending visit, empowering His disciples to continue His mission of forgiveness and peacemaking in the world. In these few verses, I believe we are hearing Jesus say to his disciples and us, “I am sending you to be peacemakers, so take a deep breath of my Holy breath and receive my forgiving peace, which will enable you to embody the Father’s love and forgiveness for the world.”

Taking a deep breath of God’s forgiving, healing, energizing Spirit is advice that I think fits well into the purpose of Lent. For in taking a deep breath of God’s forgiving, healing, energizing Spirit, we will be encouraged, enabled, and energized toward a deepening love-relationship with God. And as we breathe God’s Spirit-breath, creativity is awakened, and his profound wisdom and love are empowered in us to do his will on earth as it is in heaven.

Yes, the days of Lent can be a painful time of repenting as we remember our stumbling and failures in being a Jesus-follower. But Jesus’ breathing on us his Spirit’s gift of forgiveness and empowerment, “Peace be with you,” removes all fear and anxiety that may be holding us hostage and invites us into a deepening love relationship with himself and others.

Jesus’ Spirit-breath of peace was to enable his disciples and us to embody and demonstrate the Father’s love and forgiveness for the world. And as he had told them and us earlier, their peace-mission will be known by their love for one another, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”  (John 13:34-35).

Edwin Hatch has written a prayer-hymn that is so appropriate for the days of Lent. It is titled “Breathe on Me, Breath of God.” I invite you to join me in making it our prayer during this season of Lent.

Breathe on me, breath of God. Fill me with life a-new that I may love what thou dost love, and do what thou wouldst do.

Breathe on me, breath of God, until my heart is pure, until with thee I will one will, to do and to endure.

Breathe on me, breath of God, till I am wholly thine, till all this earthly part of me glows with thy fire divine.

Breathe on me, breath of God, so shall I never die, but live with thee the perfect life of thine eternity.

<><>  AMEN  <><>

Ray M Geigley – “Healing Rays of Righteousness” – www.geigler13@wordpress.com – 3/05/25