Tuesday, November 10
Liturgical Color: White
Today is the Memorial of Pope St. Leo the
Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church. He
reigned as pope from 440 to 461 A.D. Many of
his writings still exist, including 96 sermons and
143 letters, providing insight into early church
history.
Day 314 - Jesus Gives the Disciples the Power to Forgive Sins // Jesus and Thomas
Today’s Reading: John 20:19-29
19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” 22 And 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; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
24 Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in his side, I will not believe.” 26 Eight days later, his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them, and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “You have believed because you have seen me. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.”
Today’s Commentary
he breathed on them: Anticipates the coming of the Spirit on Pentecost, which will take place 50 days later (Acts 2:1-4).
forgive the sins: Jesus’ ministry of mercy and reconciliation will continue through the apostles (2 Cor 5:18-20; Jas 5:14-15).