Welcome to you all, whether you have been with us from the beginning of the week, or if you have just arrived as for the Pentecost weekend. We are happy to share this days of prayer, community life and reflection with you.

In a moment, Abel (NL) and Christine (MY) are going to ask me a question, which I will try to reply to, but before that I would like to share a few thoughts about the Bible reading we heard from John’s Gospel this evening. Some of you might like to look again at the text on the Taizé app.

Many of us are familiar with the story of Pentecost that we hear in the Acts of the Apostles, but John relates to us another tradition of how the Holy Spirit entered into the life of the friends of Jesus. There are three points from this text I would like to speak about.

Firstly, notice how the disciples were locked in their room, afraid of the authorities after the death of Jesus. Already two of them were at the tomb of Jesus, one of them had understood what had happened and they may have already heard from Mary of Magdala that she had met the Risen Jesus, but such is their trauma that fear holds them prisoner.

The Risen Jesus then becomes present. His first words are “Peace be with you”. He does not tell them off because they deserted him, neither does he say that they should have understood everything or have been stronger. Am I able to welcome that presence of peace in the midst of my fears?

Secondly, joy comes to the friends of Jesus as they recognise that it is indeed him – not a perfect remade Jesus after his death, but one who still carries his wounds. Life has returned to him and they understand that this life is stronger than death. They understand that suffering and death will never have the last word.

Even if it is difficult to understand everything about the resurrection, does not a simple trust that love and life cannot be overcome by all that wants to destroy allow a joy to well up in us? I think of friends from Ukraine who despite the pain of their situation, cling on to the hope of faith, who are able to sing the resurrection of Christ , which gives them an unexpected joy and capacity to persevere.

Where do we see signs of joy around us? How do they give us courage?

Finally, do you remember how God breathed life into Adam at the beginning of the Bible? Here, the Risen Jesus breathes the Holy Spirit upon his friends. They receive his life, they are created anew.

And he gives them a mission: they are to proclaim the forgiveness which is at the heart of the resurrection. But notice that Jesus leaves the disciples a choice: to forgive or not to forgive.

Forgiveness is a complex issue. It has been misused — even weaponised — in Christian contexts to silence the wounded. True healing requires truth-telling. But forgiveness, when freely given, is at the heart of resurrection life.

As we celebrate Pentecost, let us welcome the peace of the risen Christ and may the Holy Spirit bring us to new life in him!

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Questions

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We have welcomed two groups of pilgrims from Ukraine during this past time. One came from the east of the country where the war is particularly violent. Yet, these young people were full of joy as they sung the Resurrection of Jesus.

Earlier this week came the news that a young Ukrainian man aged 19 known well to our brothers was killed in Kramatorsk, a town on the front. A young Ukrainian woman, currently serving in the army in the same town ,visited us this week during her leave.

And we receive regular messages from a Spanish doctor friend who is working in a hospital in Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip. He has sent us pictures and details of mainly children that he has had to operate on.

May the Spirit of peace blow this Pentecost giving courage and strength to those in war zones and inspiring bold and creative decisions by those in power for just and lasting solutions.

Please continue to pray for peace in our world as we did last evening and reflect on what you can do to support those who are in situations of distress. Do not forget the people of Ukraine and the Gaza Strip!

A final point: from 28 December to 1 January, we hope that you will be able to join us for our annual European meeting of young adults. After being in Tallinn at the start of this year, our next meeting will take place in Paris and the surrounding Île-de-France region.

We have been invited for this European meeting by the Archbishop of Paris and the bishops of the province, as well as Protestant and Orthodox leaders. In Tallinn, Estonia, at our last European meeting, the Archbishop told us that the cathedral of Notre Dame will welcome all of us, with her doors open so that we can encounter Christ who is waiting for us. This meeting will also be a sign of our desire for peace and fraternity in the human family, yes, for hope beyond all hope.