Acts 25:13-21 / John 21:15-19
If we call ourselves Catholics, then we may have to ask ourselves this very fundamental question.
Who are we really? What are we all about?
Well, there can be many answers to that question, but there can be no denying it that the Church is a community of sinners.
In fact the Church is the only community in the world in which membership is based on one single qualification.
And that qualification is that you have to be a sinner. If you are not a sinner, then you can't be a member. Sounds strange right?
Because if you are not a sinner, then why would you want to join the church? Just like if you are not sick, why would you want to be admitted into the hospital?
The first leader of the church, St. Peter, was a sinner, in fact a grave sinner. He denied Jesus three times.
The first missionary and apostle to the Gentiles, St. Paul, was also a great sinner. He persecuted the Christians.
Yet these two great figures of the Church, who were great sinners, also showed that in the church, they found salvation in Jesus.
When we understand that we the church is a church OF sinners and also a church FOR sinners, then we will want to follow Jesus in His way of love and forgiveness, mercy and compassion, kindness and generosity.
May the Spirit lead us into repentance and form us in the way of holiness.