Dear Sisters, Associates, Staff, and Friends,
We all have our favorite Easter stories. Joy wells up in our hearts as we listen to their retelling during the Fifty Days of Easter. We may even know them by heart. But sometimes their very familiarity can prevent us from hearing them in new and fresh ways. This year the post-resurrection appearance recorded by John and proclaimed on the second Sunday of Easter has been challenging me to deeper listening.
It is evening, and with the doors locked, Jesus appears in their midst. As he breathes the Holy Spirit on them, his greeting is “peace.” It is easy to miss the stunning implications of what he says next. The Lord tells the disciples: “Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them.” We often narrowly interpret this to be referencing only the sacrament of reconciliation. But notice that he is calling every one of the disciples present in that room to practice forgiveness. On Good Friday, Jesus gave us the clear example by forgiving those responsible for his crucifixion as he hung dying on the cross. The risen Lord expects us to imitate his lead and become persons who forgive, even when doing so seems to be asking more than we think we can give.
Does not the Lord’s resurrection make possible a world where forgiveness is freely given and humbly received? Is not forgiveness a primary way that we live the Paschal Mystery day in and day out? Is not forgiveness a way for us to touch the wounds of our suffering world and make healing possible?
By his entire life, but especially after the resurrection, the risen Lord taught his disciples—and teaches us—the art of not repaying evil with evil. Even though our world is stricken by violence and hate, the resurrection story calls us to an almost unimaginable generosity. Yet this is the path we are called to follow. It is the message of forgiveness embodied in the life of Jesus Christ and embraced by those who claim to be his disciples. Indeed, it is only by entering into the spirit of forgiveness that we can cross the threshold of hope! (Halík, Touch the Wounds, 75).
My prayer for all of us during these Fifty Days of Easter is that, in the face of violence, war, discrimination, and false narratives, we can embrace the Spirit’s gift of peace. May this gift of peace take root in our hearts, enabling us to touch the wounds of our country and our world as ministers of hope, healing, and reconciliation.
Peace and all good things!
S Judith M Kubicki
Provincial Minister
Download or save the letter below
Thank you, Sister Judith. Well said! Especially the part about forgiving when it seems more than we feel we can give. This is a good word to hear at the beginning of the Triduum. This is not just intellectual assent but it is transformative of me as a disciple of Christ in need of conversion.