Reflection - Third Sunday of Easter

Reflection - Repent and be forgiven

“You see how it is written that the Christ would suffer, and on the third day rise from the dead, and that, in his name, repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be preached to all the nations.” This prediction or mandate of the risen Christ is echoed by Peter in the first reading, “Now you must repent and turn to God, that your sins may be wiped out.” In John’s epistle too, we are urged to stop sinning, and if we have sinned the sacrifice of Christ can take our sins away. People who live without thought of God or of His will, may silence their consciences with the promise of repenting some future day. But is it possible that a change of heart can happen in a single day? Can we our character and habits possibly improve by an act of our will?

Some may be inclined to wonder, “Why all the fuss if everyone is a sinner, and if forgiveness is easily got?” To this, St. John has a sober warning, “We can be sure that we know God only by keeping his commandments.” Knowing God has a moral dimension and has almost nothing to do with intellectual understanding. To know God means to have a close and personal relationship with our Maker and Father. This happens most surely if we live in imitation of Christ, or put on Christ, as St Paul says. Being Christians gives us the great privilege of a relationship with Jesus; but it also makes great demands on us, for we cannot be like Christ unless we aim to become pure in heart. ,

There was a poor and simple man who regularly visited a certain church, and there pray on his knees before a large crucifix. When he was asked why his lips never moved while praying before the cross he said, “I just look at him, and he looks at me.” Words had given way to contemplation. Those who look long enough at Christ, will finally become like Christ, seeing him as he really is.

© Irish Association of Catholic Priests.