“On the evening of that day, the first day of the week,” Jesus showed himself to his apostles.  “He breathed on them, and said to them:  ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.  If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained’”  (Jn 20:19, 22-23)

 In the Sacrament of Reconciliation we approach God and encounter his love and mercy. When we go to confession we acknowledge our sinfulness, but we do not despair. We approach God humbly, asking forgiveness, and God’s divine mercy is poured upon us. We are forgiven, and we then go out resolving to “sin no more.”