Breath

John 20:19-31

Breath, take a full deep breath. In music, its all about the breath support for singers and wind players. My friends had to lay on the floor with books on their stomachs to show our teacher how they were breathing. It comes from a place deep inside us. Usually the average person doesn't breath this deeply. As a matter of fact they have studied this and we don't regularly use the deepest part of our lungs. 

Breathing deeply helps us to center in meditation. Take a deep breath in and breath out, again. Feel yourself slowing down, feel your inner self become relaxed, breath. Its how you calm a panic attack, by breathing normally and becoming aware of the breath. It is giving and receiving back.

So when Jesus breaths on those frightened, panicked disciples what would it do? Yes, they were frightened. It is why they are locked in a room. Hoping to keep out those who would want to kill them too. Every knock on the door makes their hearts race. We know Mary Magdalene found the tomb empty. Where is the body? Do they want to kill his followers? Jesus appears and breaths, offers them peace. Receive and give breath. What is, is. What will come, will be. Breath.

It is peace filled. It is life giving. They say John's gospel can fit into Genesis. We begin with light and we end with breath. The breath given to the first humans. The breath of life abundant. What would it be to share this breath? Share it with a world which goes too fast, does too much, places an emphasis on not taking a full breath? Peace be with you.

There are times and places we need to just stop and breath. The other morning I was driving from Cape to Sikeston and the sky was brilliant. It took my breath away. Tears immediately sprang to my eyes and at Kelso I stopped and breathed and wrote a poem. Most of us don't take the time to realize the breath we need which will give life.

When Asian breathes on the statues of creatures the White Witch turned to stone it is the turning point for the story. The lion breathes life back into these ones who others thought were gone. As friends are reunited they then go to do what is required for them to get rid of her rule of snow and cold.  When we breath we are given the chance to slow down, to be better prepared, to release and be able to give of ourselves more fully.

So this day is the day we mark not only Jesus' rising and appearing, but the gift of breath. The gift of peace. The gift of giving and receiving life. Can you take the time and breath?