Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them

„Jesus said to them again, ‚Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‚Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.’” (JN 20: 21-23)

„He breathed on them”—we are witnessing the new life of the Apostles: the same way that God breathed on the first man and gave him life, so now the disciples’ new spiritual life comes from Jesus. This „breath of God” brings us the sacrament of penance: „whose sins you forgive are forgiven them.” With the Holy Spirit and forgiveness, we receive God’s grace and again and again new life. On this Divine Mercy Sunday, Our Lord comes to us with a new grace and a strong blessing: „blessed are they who have not seen me, but still believe.” Every sacrament of penance brings us closer to God, refreshes our relationship with Him and encourages us to be His witnesses.

„You believe in me, Thomas, because you have seen me, says the Lord; blessed are they who have not seen me, but still believe!”