Today's readings are here: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/041512.cfm
At the end of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the priest prays the words of absolution, which are, in part, "God, the Father of mercies....sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins...." This fact of the Holy Spirit's role in bringing about reconciliation has its basis in today's Gospel when the resurrected Christ breathes on the disciples, tells them to receive the Holy Spirit, and gives them the authority to be ministers of his peace by bringing forgiveness to people's sins.
Peace, in the biblical sense, is not only the forgiveness of sins, but is also the fullness of life that flows from our union with our loving Lord, a fulness which keeps us from sin. In other words, peace is not just about healing after we have sinned, but is also about preventing us from sinning in the future.
Our Lord, on that first Easter night, gave us the wonderful Sacrament of Reconciliation by which we are cleansed of our sins and strengthened to resist sin in the future. This Easter Season, and beyond, let us avail ourselves of this sacrament as often as possible, knowing that our Lord, in the person of the priest, his minister, meets us there to bring us the forgiveness he won for us through his death and resurrection.
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