On the evening of his resurrection the Risen Christ appeared to the disciples. "He breathed on them and said 'Receive the Holy Spirit (John 20:22)'" In the Greek in which the New Testament is written the word "pneuma" meant both "breath"and "spirit." Breathing on them would not seem strange to the disciples. When I was ordained 57 years ago the priest breathed three times on a baby who was being baptized. The practice was discontinued because people in our culture found it offensive. The Risen Christ is overflowing with the Holy Breath and shares it with the disciples and with us.
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