Acts 3.13-15,17-19・Ps 4.2, 3+4, 8+9・1 John 2.1-5・Luke 24.35-48
Last week on our celebration of the Divine Mercy Sunday, we must have also talked about (shared about) forgiveness of sins. In the context of our Church life, through the Sacrament of Confession specifically, we understand more how God constantly forgives our past sins, with the similar if not the same sins we commit. We understand that the forgiveness we receive during the Sacrament of Confession is a very specific expression of God`s Mercy (the Divine Mercy) for us up to our time. Peace in our hearts will always be the effect of the forgiveness of our sins we receive as we go to the Sacrament of Confession. So much has been said at the same time that each one can also attain peace through a constant forgiveness of sins among each one of us. In the context of our Church life, we receive a mission to allow members of our community, and our neighbors, to experience the peace of Christ by forgiving others. By truly accepting and putting into action “this mission,” we are able to truly bear witness to the truth of Jesus life, death and resurrection.
The central theme of our readings today is again about repentance and forgiveness. We often choose to reject Jesus in our daily living. Paul says, in our first reading, that the people and their leaders acting in ignorance resulted to rejecting Jesus. Indeed we are constantly called to free ourselves from ignorance of God's mercy. Let us turn to Him and acknowledge our sins, let us take courage to repent, let`s receive His forgiveness, and let us live in peace.
There may be urgency in living in Christ`s peace. This is not a project of tomorrow but of today (now). Let us recognize the presence of Jesus among us. (making Jesus as the center of our community and individual daily life) and wholeheartedly work cheerfully in His vineyard.