Our first reading tells us the story of how 3,000 Christians were added to the Church through Peter and the other Apostles. This story is very striking to me because, if we notice in the beginning of it, Peter is addressing the Jewish people whose leaders pushed to crucify Jesus. He tells them, basically, that that person they just helped to execute was the Lord, and they are understandably “cut to the heart.” What is particularly amazing is how Peter treats them. When they ask him what they can do, he says they just have to ask for forgiveness and God will grant it, and they will receive the Holy Spirit.

I think this is a significant message for how we treat our enemies. God forgave the very people who urged that Jesus be crucified. Peter welcomed into the Church the very people who shouted, "Crucify him" about his Savior and dear friend. Though we are imperfect humans, God calls us to act in the image in which we were created. Now, I’m not exactly sure what I would want to say if I could talk to someone who had a hand in crucifying Jesus, but you can bet that it probably wouldn’t be a message of forgiveness and love.

As I contemplate the joy of Jesus’ resurrection, I can’t help but think of the times during Lent when I failed to maintain a greater commitment to my relationship with God. As Jesus tells Mary Magdalene, though, Jesus and I share the same God. Because of Jesus’ time on earth, his death and his resurrection, we can now be closer to God then ever before. We can’t allow Jesus suffering to be in vain, so we must accept God’s forgiveness and strive to offer that forgiveness to others, especially when it is most difficult.