Preach Repentance
Third Sunday of Easter (B)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041821.cfm
The Church has brought us these past three weeks from the despair of the Garden and the Cross to the joy of the Resurrection. Last Sunday, she presented to us the immeasurable gift of Divine Mercy. In the light of these glories, she invites us today to repent.
It is strange, isn’t it? The message of Advent and of Lent is of preparation and repentance. But now on the Third Sunday of Easter, we are again invited to repent.
This is not new. Saint Peter speaks to the people after the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, and after the day of Pentecost. He confronts them with their sin, accusing them by saying: you handed him over, denied your kinsman in front of the oppressor’s governor, rejected the holy one in favor of a murderer, and had him killed.
These are not casual sins. These are not trivial errors or failings. These are very serious sins. And yet, there is hope, and more than hope. Saint Peter also says, “I know, brothers, that you acted out of ignorance… Repent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be wiped away.”
It was not too late. It is not too late.
Saint Peter does not seek vengeance or offer threats. He offers peace and forgiveness through repentance and conversion of life.
And Saint John, in his letter, likewise. Don’t sin, he says, but if you do, Jesus Christ is expiation for our sins. It is not too late.
And our Lord, too. “Peace be with you,” he says. This is his greeting. Have peace, do not be troubled. Believe, then go and preach repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
How do we preach repentance? I think there are three ways: we preach with the word of our testimony, by the example of our repentance, and by how we forgive others.
How do we forgive others? Often our forgiveness is tainted by a desire for vengeance. I forgive so that I am not consumed with bitterness, but I do not forget the wrong. I forgive, but I do not extend trust. I forgive, but I demand justice. I “forgive”, but I spread gossip about the person who wronged me. I forgive if you come and grovel before me. I forgive you if you will make restitution.
This is not the way. This is not the example of our Lord.
The disciples all fled Jesus in his time of suffering. Saint Peter swore that he didn’t even know the man whom he had acknowledged as the Messiah and the Son of God. It was not only the Romans and the Jewish leaders and the mob who rejected Christ. It was his disciples.
And what is the message of Christ to we who betray him? Is it “I forgive you for your awful sins, for which you shall suffer?” No, it is simply “Peace be with you.”
This is how we should forgive. It requires grace. It is difficult, and indeed impossible for us without the Holy Spirit working in us.
Do not hear me say something other than what I mean to say. There is a condition for forgiveness. That condition is repentance. I said this before, so please forgive me for repeating it, but it is important.
If someone offends or sins against us in a small matter, or if it is serious, but they sin against us out of ignorance or are not in their right mind, then we can and should forgive without conditions. From the cross, Jesus could see the hearts of the men crucifying him, and asked that the sin not be held against them, because they did not know what they were doing.
If someone knowingly and seriously sins against us, our duty and obligation is to pray that God will change their heart. It is prudent that we also pray for our own hearts to be soft, so that we are prepared to offer forgiveness, and to seek forgiveness if we bear some guilt. But, we are not obligated to offer forgiveness to someone who is unrepentant, such as in the case of an abuser who is not contrite, repentant, and doing penance. Forgiveness for serious sin is impossible without repentance.
So we forgive others, and in doing so, we preach by our example that repentance leads to forgiveness.
And we preach in how we repent. How do we respond when we sin against God and the laws of the Church? Do we try to defend or excuse ourselves? Do we wallow in the mud when we fall? Or do we repent of our sin, accept forgiveness, and move forward? How do we respond when we become aware we have sinned against another? Do we defend or excuse ourselves, or do we repent, and come to ask forgiveness so that we can repair the relationship and move forward?
This is how we preach repentance and forgiveness in how we repent. We fall, but we rise again. We offend, but we ask forgiveness. We repent because we believe that forgiveness is available. We proclaim our faith in the mercy of God by how we repent.
And we preach repentance and forgiveness by the word of our testimony.
Sometimes the example of our life is difficult to see. Perhaps our sin and our repentance is private. Perhaps our forgiveness is quiet. Perhaps we repent or we forgive imperfectly.
Because of this, it is important that we preach this gospel of repentance and forgiveness with our words. Certainly, the example of our life must accompany our words, but words are necessary. Jesus came to offer peace and his words. “Peace be with you,” he says, but he continues “these are my words…”
And these should be our words:
I repent because of Christ, who taught and suffered and died and rose again, and who forgives my sins.
I forgive because of Christ, who taught and suffered and died and rose again, and who forgives my sins.
I repent because of Christ. I forgive because of Christ.
