Forgiveness of sin removes all obstacles

May 4, 2003 -- Third Sunday of Easter

	Fr. Richard Ver Bust

Each of this Sunday's readings try to show that forgiveness of sin is one of the fruits of Christ's resurrection.

We might have to break from our notion that sin is the breaking of a rule or law. In scripture, sin is often described as a failure to hit the target or failing to complete what one has aimed to do. This, of course, is applied to our relationship with God. Forgiveness in turn is seen as wiping away or taking away a debt. Forgiveness of sin emphasizes the removal of all obstacles that unite us with God.

Our first reading is the story of Peter healing a cripple. Peter explains this power as a sign of the power of the risen Christ. He contrasts the attitude of those who were hearing this preaching with the attitude of God toward Jesus. They, even though they didn't realize it, were part of God's plan of salvation. They, in causing Jesus' death, allowed God to show how Jesus' ministry was true. They, the audience, should now repent of what they had done and thus receive from God the forgiveness of their sins. In the risen Lord they could encounter the presence of God and God's active love.

Our reading from the First Letter of John urges the reader not to sin for it would mean that they would damage their relationship with God. Yet the author realizes the reality of sin and knows that we are not perfect and may often fail to live up to what we desire. Fortunately we have Christ who acts as our intercessor before God. By his death on the cross he has earned the right to be our spokesperson in seeking God's forgiveness. We are called to accept God's love and live in righteousness avoiding those acts which might destroy our relationship. Fellowship with Jesus means being united to him and in turn imitating him.

The Gospel reading from Luke is the conclusion of that beautiful story of two of Jesus' disciples encountering him on the way to Emmaus. Only at the end did they recognize the risen Lord when they shared a meal with him. He though had shown them through the scripture that his death was part of God's plan of salvation. We take up the story when the two disciples returned to Jerusalem and told the other disciples what had happened especially how they had recognized Jesus in the act of the breaking of the bread.

Suddenly, Jesus is present to the whole community. He speaks to them about the peace he wishes to give them. Peace to Jesus is the wish and blessing of the fullness of God's presence in the coming of the kingdom The reaction of the disciples is normal for they were not expecting what had happened. Jesus shows them his wounds so that they might realize his identity. He is Jesus whom they have followed and yet his present coming is a new condition. He is the risen Lord. Like the story of the disciples on the way to Emmaus, Jesus once more explains that all of this is what God wanted. He emphasizes all of the law, prophets, and psalms were a preliminary to the fullness of salvation. Luke describes this as the opening of scripture. Through God's act, all may receive the forgiveness of their sins if they are willing to repent. Jesus then commissions them to spread this news to all people. We can celebrate that this gift is still offered to us today. We should realize that we too are commissioned to be witnesses to Christ and the forgiveness of sin.

(Fr. Ver Bust holds the title of professor emeritus in religious studies at St. Norbert College, De Pere.)