Sunday, April 24, 2022

 

SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER (DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY), April 24, 2022

(Acts 5:12-16; Revelation 1:9-11.12-13.17-19; John 20:19-31)

Every now and then a person comes to confession who wants to confess a past sin. She says that she had never confessed, although it could have been serious. Obviously, the person feels guilty for the sin buried in the recesses of his conscience. She just remembered it and wants to get rid of it so it doesn't disturb her more. The resurrection of Jesus provides us with the instrument to receive forgiveness for such a sin.

By saying “peace” in his appearance to the disciples, Jesus is not imparting an ordinary greeting. He said at the Last Supper that he gives a peace that the world cannot give. It is the peace that frees the person from all fear and fills the person with love for all. After showing them the wounds from the nails and the spear, he repeats “peace”. This second time indicates that the disciples receive a double portion peace to share with others. Then Jesus gives them the Holy Spirit to forgive sins.

Because of this peace of Christ, we can experience relief from guilt by confessing our sins to a priest. It is not necessary to sacrifice a calf as the Jews did or wonder if we are really forgiven. We just have to find a priest. This is a big part of Divine Mercy. We do not have to go about burdened by sins because God has sent us his Son. Jesus gave his life to take away the sin of the world. He also sent his disciples to reconcile individual Christians.

However, we know that relatively few are taking advantage of the Sacrament of Reconciliation today. Sixty years ago, there were lines outside every confessional for two hours every Saturday afternoon. Today you can usually count on the fingers of two hands all the penitents in an hour of confession. What happened and how can we remedy the situation?

Many do not come to be reconciled because they do not see themselves as sinners. They don't count lies, absence of Sunday mass, even, sometimes. fornication as sins. They are more concerned with offending other people's feelings than with breaking a commandment of God!

Others are hesitant to confess to a priest because they see priests as sinners as great as themselves. Unfortunately, some priests have lost the impulse to live as perfect as Christ. But this corruption does not diminish their authority to forgive other people's sins. Like Thomas in the gospel, we must recognize the presence of something supernatural in reconciliation. Jesus really has risen from the dead. He has really given priests the authority to remove the guilt of another.

One of the most prevalent symbols for Easter is the chick breaking the shell of the egg. It obviously represents Jesus coming out of the tomb. But we can attach another meaning. It can represent us breaking the hardness of our heads. Instead of burying sins in the recesses of our conscience, let us confess them regularly. In this way we show the impulse to live as perfect as Christ. In this way we show the impulse to live like Christ.