Receive the Holy Spirit, whose sins you shall forgive they are forgiven, whose sins you retain or hold bound, they are held bound. This is the second time in about six weeks that we hear this gospel passage; but there is a distinction. A week after Easter, Thomas is singled out by name, the others also were uncomfortable with this gift of forgiveness and mercy.

Although God offers it unconditionally we are not easily prone to accept things withut strings attached. But if we have been preparing like the Apostles and Mary over the last nine days making a Novena of preparation then perhaps we are now more disposed to understand and accept what God offers.

Bishop O'Malley reminds us that this year the Pentecost invitation comes at a time of crisis in the Church. Like so many generations of Catholics, who in time of crisis and tragedy, we feel the need to turn to God in prayer for healing, reconciliation and unity.

We pray especially for the healing of wounds brought about by the betrayal of trust, by broken vows, by the evil or sexual abuse of children and adolescents. We pray for the healing of long term suffering of these victims and their families. We pray also for those who struggle to remain faithful in spite of the hurt of this painful scandal. We pray for those seminarians whose vocations are being sorely tested; for those who are able to endure and for those who discern they cannot.

As a community we are ready to cry out for this grace of healing In a world of so much individualism and privatization of religion, we are called today to publicly profess our faith in that Christ came into our world to establish a church, a people, a community of faith, entrusted to continue his mission.

The Church is the instrument that Christ founded so that His teachings and sacraments could be present to believers in every generation and in every place. The Spirit of love and unity that characterizes Pentecost is a spirit that dissolves the divisions that separate us from each other and call us to speak one faith in one language of love. In every Mass we say the words that Jesus taught us in the Our Father. We ask for God's forgiveness and we pledge ourselves to forgive one another. This reconciliation is of course not automatic. It demands a purpose of amendment. It requires seeking new ways to avoid the grave mistakes, and to make the safety of our children our paramount goal. Clergy, religious, laity, all are called to support the efforts of our diocesan family to protect the children.

Mandated reporting of any instance of sexual abuse of minors to police, CORI checks, and trainings sessions on sexual abuse must be part of the landscape in every parish, agency, and school within the diocese.

Of course our love is not perfect, and we find ourselves like Peter pointing to the other saying: "What about him?" God's Spirit of courage and love does not require us to go beyond our human capacity--but it does enable us to broaden that capacity.

Look at the example of Peter in the early chapters of the gospels. Fickle, frightened, shame-filled, but dedicated, committed, not afraid to play the fool -- whether throwing himself into a stinking pile of fish, or getting out of his boat and attempting to walk on the storm-chopped waves, or even in his moment of death, maintaining a sense of humor by insisting on being executed upside down, feeling unworthy of dying in the same manner as the Lord.

Look at the Peter who emerges from the Cenacle on Pentecost. The same commitment--the same dedication--the same sense of humor: "You say that we are drunk; but we can't be drunk, it's only 9:00a.m." And then when arrested, "We must judge for ourselves. Is it better to obey God or to obey men?"

To judge for ourselves---that is what each of us must do. We are all called to love Jesus in the same measure---but not in the same manner--by the same path. God has different roles and different gifts for every one of us.

When we judge others, however we "bind up", restrict, enslave, and disintegrate the dignity of another human being. Think for a moment how you feel when you find yourself judged, uncomfortable, angry or afraid. That is what Jesus means when he says: "Perfect love casts out fear."

As Peter spoke, he was heard by the crowds in a multiplicity of languages. The Church that was born that morning was not a "stew" made from the melding and loosing of all its component parts. It was more like a "salad bar", where the elements interact delightfully, but loose none of their individuality.

Being a disciple does not mean conforming to a pattern of regulations. Christianity is not a cult, it is a spirituality, a living breathing inter-personal relationship with God. Letting God be God and letting me be me.

All that is required is that we remain faithful to the words he places on our hearts each day, surrendering both our tomorrows and our yesterdays to his Providence and living one day--one moment at a time--in the face of our fears and overcoming them with love.