“We are Forgiven – Decide to Repent” by Wayne Miller

“We are Forgiven – Decide to Repent” by Wayne Miller 

Third Sunday of Easter

 

Peter said to the people: The author of life you put to death, Now I know, brothers, that you acted out of ignorance Repent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be wiped away.” (Acts 3:13-15, 17-19)

My children, I am writing this to you so that you may not commit sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous one. He is expiation for our sins. (1 John 2:1-5a)

 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Lord Jesus, open the Scriptures to us;
Make our hearts burn while you speak to us.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

He stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” But they were startled and terrified. “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. (Luke 24:35-48)

 

Piety

Father God, thank you for your everlasting patience, forgiveness, and acceptance of my frequent, necessary repentance. Give me your eyes to see and heart to hear and voice to express Your Love to my brothers and sisters in their time of need. Help me to see and accept that Your Love not only extends to every one of them, but to me also, whom I have the greatest difficulty forgiving. I ask this in the name of Your Son, Jesus, my Lord and Savior.

Study

In today’s Gospel, Luke describes Jesus’ appearance to the disciples, their shock and terror that He was a ghost, and how hard he had to work to make them believe He was truly alive in His resurrected human form. Once convinced, the disciples can finally truly listen to the same teaching that Jesus has been giving them all along. The horrendous events of His Passion fulfilled the Law and the Prophets. His Loving acceptance of the evil committed against Him was the only way to accomplish the results of the appalling events of His Passion.

 

The key that restored the possibility of Reconciliation with the Father is Jesus’ “YES” to the Passion. To receive that Reconciliation, each of us must say YES to the Passion that awaits us in the Surrender and Death to our sin. Reconciliation with the Father is everlasting certainty of the Pure Love, Acceptance, Forgiveness, and Joy of living as a perfect Child of the Father. Choosing Reconciliation instead of our Sin means we will never be alone or fearful, no matter the circumstances.

 

In our First Reading, in his typical gruff fisherman’s style, Peter started his statement to the people by proving beyond a shadow of a doubt that they bore personal responsibility for the murder of God’s Only Son. I’m sure he left no doubt in anyone’s mind that they had done a stupid, repulsive act worthy of eternal damnation.

 

Then Peter, contrary to his abrupt nature – and now fully aware of the utter, everlasting Love and Forgiveness that the Living Jesus gave Him – gave them the Hope they needed. He was following the Great Commission that Jesus gave the disciples to teach the whole world to REPENT and receive forgiveness. Repentance not only of the terrible act that they had perpetrated; but Repentance of the obsession with whatever in your life that does not lead to a more perfect relationship with the Father through His Son, Jesus. Repent – turn away – from the “gods” that you seek for pleasure, security, personal power, and control. Choose a relationship with the One and Only Source of Acceptance, Joy, and Peace. Conform your life to a complete connection with the Creator, Lover Father, by choosing His Son’s way of life and becoming a living conduit of His Love to your family and life circumstances.

 

In the Second Reading, John, the Beloved, in his typical, kinder approach, told his listeners how much he loved them in his desire that they might never sin. But if they did (as he knew we all do), he encouraged them that our Lord Jesus was alive and always at the Father’s side, interceding for all of us when we realize our failures and sins and turn to Him. He calls us every day in every aspect of our lives to surrender our choice of sin in favor of a choice of life in His Father’s Will. He calls us every day to Love ourselves and all of His Children with His Passionate Serving Love.

 

Action

The way we know how to repent and be reconciled to the Father is to know Jesus, the human Son of God, who taught us in His every action, thought, and word how to live a relationship with the Father. How can I say that I “know” Jesus if I don’t spend time with Him?

I was recently encouraged in a beautiful way to get to know Jesus better. We can do it alone, with a prayer partner, or with your group as an ongoing formation.

 

Read one of the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, or Luke). While reading each event of Jesus’ life, focus on the person of Jesus and answer these questions in your journal:
 

• With whom did Jesus spend his time?
• How did he relate with the apostles
• How did he relate with the Pharisees and Sadducees?
• How did he relate with the poor and suffering?
• How did he relate with his friends and family?
• What message did he give to each?
• How did these different groups of people respond to Him?
• What did Jesus talk about most?
• How did Jesus refer to God? How frequently?
• What were Jesus’ deepest desires? What made him angry?
• What is one thing that surprised you about Jesus? 
• How can I relate as Jesus did with all the people that are in my life? 
• How can I make a friend, be a friend, and bring Jesus to my friend?

De Colores!