Last Sunday we celebrated Mercy Sunday! Our readings today still reflect that wonderful theme of God the Father's ever-present, heart-felt offer of mercy, forgiveness and healing which is ours for the repenting, the converting and the asking.
Sometimes, we human beings like to think that we have it "all together" – and that we know what is "best." If this thought does not come as a result of prayer: the letting of God in on the process; the reception of God's grace and the willingness to follow the Owner's Manual for Life provided by God (called the Scriptures)–then chances are we will not end up with what is best. We may even end up with what is worst of all.
The first reading shows how Peter is telling the Jewish people that they got it wrong. The long-awaited Messiah came – to them – and they killed him! The author of life you put to death! What an amazing statement that was! But God raised him from the dead – this is an even more amazing statement! Then Peter demonstrates a measure of compassion for them: he tells them that he knows that they acted out of ignorance. In this case too, ignorance was not an excuse, but it was an explanation!
Yes, sometimes God can even use ignorance to bring about what he wants brought about! But, once the ignorance is discovered and confirmed then the time has already come to acquire proper knowledge and to turn toward the source of that knowledge: God – so that your sins may be wiped away!
God delights in wiping our sins away – especially after we have acted out of true, non-contrived, sometimes invincible ignorance!
In the second reading today St. John urges the faithful children of God not to sin; but to know that if they do sin, they now have an Advocate with the Father who will bestow his merciful forgiveness because he is the One, True Righteous One and has earned the right to do so! Jesus will forgive our sins – through the instrumentality of the priests of the Church – so that we all can live as authentic and genuine a Christian life as we can – and experience the ever-increasing joy of the presence of the Risen Christ deep in our hearts!
John goes on to tell the Jews not to count themselves members of the children of God if they don't keep the commandments (if they sin). If they do so they are liars, and do they not know Jesus. To those who try the best they can to live the life of Jesus in them, keeping his word, then the love of God will be in them, they will love others and they will daily reach higher and higher on the scale of perfection!
The gospel passage today relates how Jesus – the great accomplisher of our salvation – the great forgiver of our sins – makes a third appearance after his resurrection from the dead. He uses the now familiar greeting of "Peace be with you!" when he appears." Then he has a meal of fish with them, and at the same time explains to them everything written about him in the Law of Moses, the prophets and the psalms that had to be fulfilled by him. He shows them how he did fulfill them. He opened their minds – and they understood!
Yes, the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be preached in his name to all nations beginning from Jerusalem.
And once we hear this good news and believe it, then we are invited to be among those who retell the story, who bring this message to everyone, everywhere – in many situations and circumstances – translating it into paraphrases and analogies and modern day parables as needs be – whatever it takes – to let the world know that THE RISEN JESUS IS HERE – AND THAT HE WILL BE HERE WITH US UNTIL THE END OF THE WORLD! Belief in him can make all the difference in one's life – and in the life of the world at large! All it takes is a little faith, a big generous heart – and the desire to put our belief into action!
Lord Jesus, open the Scriptures to us; make our hearts burn with love for you while you speak to us; fill us with your Spirit and move us out away from ourselves to put our love and our belief into action for others!
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