Spirit of Forgiveness  

“He breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them…’” 

The early Christians probably understood these words to refer only to receiving people into the Church by Baptism, because when some “left” the Church by apostasy and returned, many assumed the only way to restore them to grace was by baptizing them again. This was condemned by the Church as false, but led to the eventual recognition of the Church’s power to forgive sins after Baptism in the sacrament of Reconciliation. 

The sacramental words of “absolution” (from ab- ‘from,’ plus solvere ‘loosen’) begin: “God… through the death and resurrection of his Son, has reconciled the world to himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins…” What special part does the Holy Spirit have in forgiveness?  

By his death, Jesus reconciled the world – the whole human race—to himself.  And to one another. The Holy Spirit is the bond of unity that establishes unity and peace on earth through mutual forgiveness: “as we forgive those who sin against us.” 

The outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost revealed this. People gathered in Jerusalem from many nations were “astounded” when all who were “filled with the Holy Spirit” began to speak: “How does each of us hear them in his native language?” 

It was the reversal of Babel, when sin caused division and inability to communicate (Genesis 11:1). The Spirit brings forgiveness, dialogue, and mutual understanding. If we “live in the Spirit,” so will we. 

— Fr. David M. Knight

View today’s Mass readings on the USCCB website here

Easter season is the time to focus on the Holy Spirit. Starting on Easter Sunday, we will look carefully at how the Spirit is proclaimed, invoked, and presented to us in the Mass. Lex orandi, lex credendi: “As the Church prays, so she believes.”

After that, we will reflect on the Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 11:2; Galatians 5:22), and at how the Spirit enters the life of those who believe.

As you read these reflections, ask for the gift of Understanding. Ask to really understand what you believe, what you see and hear at Mass. Go deeper into understanding the Mass than you ever have before. We experience the Faith when we become aware of its mystery. We hope you reflect deeply on the Mass and Gifts of the Holy Spirit, and find yourself more and more drawn into the mysteries of our Lord in the Mass and in His Gifts.