Thursday within the Octave of Easter
(Acts 3:11-26; Luke 24:35-48)
A psychologist explains the crucial difference between guilt and shame. Guilt, he says, is the recognition that one has done something
wrong. Shame, on the other hand, is the judgment that one is a bad
person. Guilt, he would conclude, moves one to reform while shame paralyzes any action. In the first readings this Easter week from the
Acts of the Apostles Peter exhorts the Jews to feel guilty for their part in
crucifying Jesus. But he provides them
hope so that they do not fall into the pit of shame.
In today’s passage Peter accuses the Jews of killing
Jesus. “’The author of life,’” he says, ‘”you
put to death…’” As a demonstration that Jesus gives life, Peter has healed the
paralytic in his name. Peter then
explains that because the Jews acted out of ignorance, they need not feel ashamed. Rather they can repent of their misdeed so
that they too might experience the healing grace of Christ.
Easter provides us with hope of eternal life. This grace begins now with the new life that
comes from repentance and forgiveness. We
experience it as the joy of leaving behind selfishness to walk with the risen Christ
in love for others.
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