In doing any type of physical exertion or exercise, breathing is important.  In martial arts training, we teach people to inhale through the nose and to exhale through the mouth.  Inhaling helps to prepare, or “load up” for a kick or strike.  Exhaling provides extra force as energy is released.  In Tae Kwon Do we even insisted that people yell when executing a technique to further focus the energy released.

In Tai Chi training there is a set of forty-nine exercises designed to increase endurance, flexibility, and strength.  When we practice the exercises in class, our instructor reminds us of proper breathing, and on the exhale he says, “No ugly faces,” even though we are forcing the air through clenched teeth in order to sustain the energy and power needed for the exercises.

In our text for this coming Sunday (John 20:19-31), the disciples of Jesus huddle together in fear in a locked room following the crucifixion of Jesus.  It is the evening of the day of the resurrection and Jesus suddenly appears among them.  The disciples recognize him and he greets them, “Peace be with you.”

Then, as Jesus tells the disciples he is sending them out, just as God sent him, Jesus breathes on them saying, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

While Jesus directs the disciples to receive the Holy Spirit, there is, I suppose, the option of not receiving it, at least for today’s disciples.  But it seems that proper breathing among followers of Jesus is vital. 

The gift of the Holy Spirit was promised by Jesus to his followers, and indeed, in another Biblical account (Acts 2), the Holy Spirit arrives in dramatic and life-changing fashion.  The effects are immediately evident as Peter finds his voice in a new way, and the hearts of his listeners are touched deeply.  Three thousand unsuspecting by-standers become believers in one day.

We breathe in the Holy Spirit though the practice of spiritual disciplines, such as worship, prayer, study, service, giving, and more.  Our spiritual intake enables us to prepare, or load up, for a release of energy through ministry in the name of Jesus.  It might be volunteering to rebuild storm-damaged homes; it may entail joining together with Christians of various backgrounds to seek responses to hunger or poverty in one’s community; it could be sitting and listening to someone who suffered a devastating loss sort through his or her feelings, anxieties, or confusion.  The Holy Spirit was promised and given, and it sustains our energy and exertion when we endeavor to be faithful.

Proper breathing is essential, and ugly faces are to be avoided!