by Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB
St. John in his Gospel could have said much more about the appearance of Jesús to the Apostles after his resurrection. Instead, John limited himself to a truth uppermost in his mind, that Jesus came to them through locked doors, stood in their midst and granted them his peace. They had been afraid of persecution, and no doubt also felt guilty about the way they abandoned Jesus. Yet he stood there, and with forgiveness in his glance said, “Peace!” It was not a reproach he spoke, but a word of love.
He had come from the Father to bring forgiveness of sin. He had accomplished that for all humanity on the Cross. Now He brought peace to his friends. He breathed God’s love into them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven them.” Surely, when their turn came to forgive others, they must have taken it as a chance to forgive as they had been forgiven. Today, after years of hearing confessions, I cannot recall even once being tempted to belittle a person who had sinned. Any priest who did so would need to be ignorant of the loving mercy with which the sacrament began.
The sound of wind filling the house on Pentecost Day undoubtedly was the sound of God’s breath. It kindled flames of light and faith for those in the Upper Room. It reached the crowd outside. The Apostles exited and began speaking in every known language of “the mighty acts of God.” Peter spoke to the crowd and accused them of their sin against Jesus, God’s promised Savior. Touched with the Spirit and with remorse, they wanted to know what they should do. Peter’s answer was direct, “Repent. Be Baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of your sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (see Acts 2:38).
Peter, chosen by Christ as first leader of his Church, impelled by the Spirit, set in action God’s plan for our salvation. God’s plan is ever the best plan. He willed our salvation. By the obedience of Jesus, He opened heaven. Aware of human frailty he gave an avenue of recovery from sin. God created us without our help. He saves us only with our help. We must cooperate with his grace. May the Spirit enlighten and strengthen us to achieve God’s plan.
Amen !