Repentance and Forgiveness in the Name Jesus, begins from Jerusalem

Gospel Thoughts

*EASTER OCTAE*

*Tuesday*

GOSPEL - Lk 24:35-48

*FIRST READING - Acts 3:11-26*

*Repentance and Forgiveness in the Name Jesus, begins from Jerusalem*

*1) Repentance and forgiveness in the Name of Jesus*

Repentance and forgiveness is at the center of Jesus' preaching 

He started His ministry with the word *Repentance* and concluded His earthly ministry with the Word *Forgiveness*

Lord forgive them, because they don't know what they are doing 

So repentance and forgiveness can be preached only in the name of Jesus and these things can be practiced only in and though Jesus' name 

Jesus' name has tremendous power, which can inspire people to repent their lives and to experience the power of forgiveness. 

*2) Jerusalem is the Beginning point of Jerusalem*

The last word *Forgiveness* comes from the Cross and that too from Jerusalem. 

What Jesus has proclaimed on the Cross we need to continue the same 

So the mission of Forgiveness has to continue from the Cross and Cross is found in Jerusalem. 

So the starting point becomes Jerusalem for repentance and for forgiveness. 

*3) Where is my Jerusalem?*

There is no doubt that the mission of repentance and forgiveness has to start from Jerusalem. If so where is that Jerusalem in my life? 

*The following areas would represent Jerusalem in my life* 

*A) First of all it is my life.* First of all I need to forgive myself and that is beginning point of forgiveness in my life

*B) My family* we should turn our family into Jerusalem, in order to, inspire on another and to practice forgiveness

*C) My neighborhood*

Turn your neighborhood into a new Jerusalem where there forgiveness of sins 

*D) My work place* is a real Jerusalem where one could experience the forgiveness of sins

*E)  My parish and community*

How beautiful it would be if, my community or the parish becomes a new Jerusalem, where there is only repentance and forgiveness sins reigns

*4) Do I preach and practice forgiveness of Sins?*

Christ did, whatever he said, while he was living on this earth. 

There is no dichotomy, between what Jesus preached and practiced 

In my Jerusalem, do I preach and practice the forgiveness of Sins and repentance? 

How can I turn my life, my family and my surrounding places into Jerusalem, where the new mission of repentance and forgiveness of Sins?*

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*