John 20: 19-31

In baptism Christians first encounter the mystery of reconciliation and the forgiveness of personal and original sin. The sad fact is that Christians do sin even after they have passed through the waters of rebirth. That is something we acknowledge in the penitential act at the beginning of every Mass.

Believers are constantly challenged to configure their lives to the person of Christ, to encounter again and again the saving power of God's healing love. Pope Francis said: ‘the Sacrament of Penance is like a ‘second baptism' … The day of our Baptism is the point of departure for a journey towards God that lasts a lifetime, a journey of conversion that is continually sustained by the Sacrament of Penance. … When we go to confession, we go to ask the pardon of Jesus, but we also go to renew our Baptism through his forgiveness. And this is beautiful, it is like celebrating the day of Baptism in every Confession'.

The need for healing, reconciliation, and the rebuilding of trust has a personal and communal dimension, particularly in light of so many scandals related to abuse. The baptised have the privilege to know and the duty to extend reconciliation, to recognise mistakes, and to rebuild trust.