Repent that your sins may be forgiven!
Peter said to the people, The God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and killed that Author of life, whom God raised from the dead.
Peter pointed out to them that they were witnesses, making it clear to them, he said: I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that this Christ should suffer, he thus fulfilled. Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out.
Meditate on Psalm 4:2, 4, 7, 9
Lift up the light of your face on us, O Lord.
I called, the God of justice gave me answer;
from anguish you released me, have mercy and hear me!
Know that the Lord works wonders for his faithful one;
The Lord will hear me whenever I call him.
What can bring us happiness? many say,
Lift up the light of your face on us, O Lord.
In peace I will lie down and fall asleep,
For you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Knowing God,Yet Disobeys Him
1 John 2:1-5 gave a charge that we may not sin, pointed to us the we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the expiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. And by this we may be sure that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He who says I know him but disobeys his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps his word, in him truly love for God is perfected.
Will You Witness for Him?
(Luke 24:35-48) At that time: The two disciples told what had happened on the road, and how Jesus was known to them in the breaking of the bread. As they were saying this, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them,Peace to you,... Christ came and stood among them and said to them, Why are you troubled, and why do questionings rise in your hearts? He showed them his hands and my feet, that it is I myself; handle, and see; for a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see that I have....They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them. Then Christ opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.
Reflection (Then will the Paschal Victory of Jesus be understood, Bear Fruit)
The above readings invites us to appreciate lovingly the riches of the Paschal mystery which is the sum total of the work of creation and redemption, of all the reality of man and of all the revelation of God. For the believer, every Eucharistic celebration renews the presence of Christ who died and rose again. Jesus comes into the midst of the Christians assembled for the Eucharistic celebration and through the Eucharist he makes them touch his body, his real presence. Christ is also present and communicates through the Scriptures and through his witnesses who are sent to proclaim the forgiveness of sins.
The Apostles, who would witness to the Risen Lord and would call the people to conversion, are themselves now full of fear, doubt and diffidence. But the Lord appears to them and clears away their doubt, inspires and enlightens them and leads them to understand the Scriptures where everything was foretold. The Lord eats with them and proclaims that in his name will be preached to all nations the message of conversion and forgiveness of sins.
The Apostles would soon begin this task very faithfully. Wherever people accept the call to conversion and wherever pardon from God and interpersonal pardon among people take place, there the Paschal victory of Jesus bears fruit and is understood.