In chapter 3 of Acts we see the work of Pentecost continues. There is another miracle – Peter, invoking the holy name of Jesus, heals the man lame from birth – that draws the crowds to the apostles. Peter proclaims the gospel message: that Christ was raised from the dead, that He is the holy one of God of whom all the prophets spoke.
Peter does not mince words in his speech. He reminds the crowd that they freely chose to put Jesus to death:
“The God of Abraham, [the God] of Isaac, and [the God] of Jacob, the God of our ancestors, has glorified his servant Jesus whom you handed over and denied in Pilate’s presence, when he had decided to release him. You denied the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. The author of life you put to death, but God raised him from the dead; of this we are witnesses.” (Acts 3:13-15)
And yet, scarcely less amazing than the resurrection itself, is that God is willing to forgive those who killed His Son:
“Now I know, brothers, that you acted out of ignorance, just as your leaders did; but God has thus brought to fulfillment what he had announced beforehand through the mouth of all the prophets, that his Messiah would suffer. Repent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be wiped away, and that the Lord may grant you times of refreshment and send you the Messiah already appointed for you, Jesus.” (Acts 3:17-20)
These words of Peter remind us of what Jesus said on the cross: “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)
These words apply to us today as much as to the crowd in Jerusalem 2,000 years ago. Jesus comes to us, yet at times we reject Him. Mary tells us, “Do whatever He tells you” (John 2:5), yet we often choose to do not what He wills but what we want. Jesus suffered on the cross for our sins. In fact, even if every other person was perfect and had no need of redemption, and I was the only sinner who needed a savior, Jesus would have suffered and died just to save me, because He loves me.
And despite my sins, I can still be saved. God still wills to forgive me. “Repent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be wiped away.” Through Baptism the stain of original sin is wiped away and we are made a new creation. Through the sacrament of Reconciliation, we are absolved of our sins. Through Holy Eucharist the Lord gives us the strength to follow Him every day.
It is amazing God forgives our sins after what we did to Jesus; and yet, after everything Jesus suffered, how could God not forgive us when we ask for His mercy? How could the sacrifice of Jesus be in vain? How could that holy sacrifice not produce grace upon grace for the salvation of all those who believe?
Following this speech, Peter and John are arrested by “the priests, the captain of the temple guard, and the Sadducees.” (Acts 4:1) The persecution of the Church begins, as Jesus had foretold. “But many of those who heard the word came to believe and [the] number of men grew to [about] five thousand.” (Acts 4:4)
Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet every day for the salvation of souls.
Image: Pieta by el Greco (downloaded from Wikipedia Commons).
