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.
