Tuesday, April 14th, 2020

Its really important how St Peter’s listeners react today.  What must we do?  They ask.  Peter’s answer is very illuminating: ‘You must repent,’.  Clearly, right at the beginning of the Church, this has been a key part of what anyone desiring to live the Christian life must do.  Of course - it's not all finished in one go. You and I experience in our flesh and heart the recognition that we need to do this.

But there is a second thing.  And every one of you must be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  How about that.  From the word go, from the day of Pentecost, the Church was already doing at least two sacraments: baptism and confirmation.  Three actually we can say from this text: the need for Confession too is presupposed - if, and we know its true, authentic repentance - and forgiveness - is something we strive for in the Christian life.  To better be more like the Risen Jesus.

Let us pray:

O God, who have bestowed on us paschal remedies,

endow your people with heavenly gifts,

so that, possessed of perfect freedom,

they may rejoice in heaven

over what gladdens them now on earth.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever.