A Reading from Acts 2:36-41
On the day of Pentecost, Peter said to the Jewish people, “Let the whole house of Israel know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and they asked Peter and the other Apostles, “What are we to do, my brothers?” Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is made to you and to your children and to all those far off, whomever the Lord our God will call.” He testified with many other arguments, and was exhorting them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand persons were added that day.
REFLECTION: “What are we to do, my brothers?”
There is a story from many years ago that a man stood at a busy street corner in New York City and started shouting: "Sinner!"
At that time most people that heard him would lower their heads and thought on what they were doing wrong.
If that was to happen today, what do you think would happen? Would people stop to reflect? Would anybody mind him? Would he be ignored because in our society "we can do no wrong"?
In today's reading Peter is preaching to people that possibly witnessed and maybe even participated in Jesus' detainment, trial, and crucifixion.
Instead of ignoring him, they had the humility of asking what to do next. How to undo a wrong. Peter exhorted them to repent, be baptized and they would be forgiven and receive the Holy Spirit in them.
How wonderful is God that even though He was murdered by His own creation, He still searches for us and forgives us if we repent of our wrongdoings.
Keeping constantly in our minds the presence of God, doing daily examination of conscience, and looking for good spiritual direction are ways to make sure we are not fooling ourselves into thinking "we are not doing anything wrong".
Don't be afraid to approach the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Find a good priest that can provide good spiritual direction, and can help us go in the path that God wants us to follow throughout this life.
God bless y'all!
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