Easter 2a 2026; 12 April
John 20:19-31; Jack Hardaway
BATED BREATH
I remember that first breath when my children were born, a rude awakening as they were poked and prodded.
After that I think I held my breath for the next twenty years.
Swimming the length of the swimming pool, under water holding my breath, going, going and going, my lungs starting to burn, and then breaking the surface at the far end, gasping for air, gulping it down, breathing deeply.
Or those times, holding my breath as stitches were being sewn into my skin, or my children’s skin, and the breath of relief when it is done.
A sigh of relief, then that next breath.
Then there is that breath of cool clean air after a spring rain.
Breathing slowly in prayer.
Breathing in the spirit, then breathing out confession, and sorrow and surrender.
Life.
It begins over and over again with each breath.
Does life begin with that first breath?
Does it end with the last?
Does resurrection begin with that first new breath?
Breath. Spirit. Life. Belief. Forgiveness. Love.
For John’s Gospel they are all the same thing.
Jesus walks through our locked doors and breathes on us that we may live, believe, forgive, and love, they are all the same thing, intimacy with the Holy One.
Life as we know it ends and begins with this breath.
The world has been holding its breath a lot lately.
Welcome the holy life breath. Receive the Holy Spirit.
Our Lord commands it.
Live, love, believe, forgive, be unbound, rise from the dead.
Stop holding your breath.
Breathe.