Both readings today help us to realize God's compassion and mercy. The reading from the Acts of the Apostles portrays Peter's efforts to make the first conversion of the Jewish community. When he preached they were cut to the heart for having not listened to Christ when he was alive. Peter assures them of their acceptance into the kingdom of God if they repent and respond to the good news positively. This holds true even for us Christians in the present age. We, too, are called to repentance, since by every sin we commit we are rejecting Jesus' selfless sacrifice for us.

In the Gospel we see the encounter of Mary Magdalene with the Risen Lord. In his lifetime Jesus remained close to all but he became even more intimate after his resurrection. He also brought us close to the Father by allowing us to call him Abba. After His resurrection he brought us even closer to the Father by saying "I am going up to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God."