Everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name. (Acts 10:43) Jesus� forgiveness transformed Peter. Acknowledging his utter weakness, he became a true rock. More than any other man, Peter knew the joy of forgiveness. That mystery - that good news - is not something one can grasp in an instant. C.S. Lewis speculates that for Peter heaven might mean standing before his Lord, acknowledging his fault and experiencing Jesus� undeserved acceptance. To those who object that this violates the principle of "self-esteem," I can only say they have not reflected much on what it means to be a human in relation to God. Today�s psalm encourages us to give thank to the Lord because �his mercy endures forever.�

Today we get a first glimpse of the Divine Mercy as we join Peter, hurrying to the tomb. He was a man full of shame on account of his failure. But he did not allow shame to paralyze him - or drive him to despair. Rather, he overcame his fear and looked into the dark sepulcher. A strange awe must have stirred inside him when he saw that, except for the burial cloths, it was empty. This Easter morning it is enough to stand with Peter - a man so weak in his humanity - and like him to wonder what the empty tomb means. The answer will not come at once. That is why the Church gives fifty days of Easter, between now and Pentecost Sunday, to explore the question.

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