Please read this passage before reading the homily.
My sisters and brothers,
It is Pentecost, the day of the coming of the Holy Spirit. It is also Easter, the day of the resurrection and the day of the coming of the Holy Spirit.
Fifty days have come since we began the celebration of the resurrection. These fifty days are like one big week, each day lasting a week (the first week like a Sunday, the second week like a Monday, and so on). Easter and Pentecost are like two sides of the same coin, resurrection and Holy Spirit. The two are one.
The doors were locked where the disciples were. Apparently, the locked doors did not keep Jesus out any more than the closed door kept the Holy Spirit out.
Jesus gave the disciples the Holy Spirit for the forgiveness of sins. The disciples can forgive sins. You can forgive sins since you are disciple. Note that the disciples and the church are one; if you are a member of the Church, you are part of those commissioned to forgive sins.
We do not come from perfect families. We have suffered from others, and we have made others suffer. We have sinned against others and sinned against ourselves. We have need of forgiveness and we have need to forgive. When we are forgiven, the body of the Church grows; when we forgive, we also enable the Church to grow.
The gifts of resurrection and the Holy Spirit are given for the good of all people and all things. We have received forgiveness and we are to give forgiveness. We have received the Holy Spirit, and we are to share the Holy Spirit.Peace be with you. Receive the Holy Spirit for the forgiveness of sins. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven; whose sins you refuse to forgive are retained.