The resurrection appearance of Jesus recorded in today’s Gospel occurred on Easter Sunday. Three days after Jesus’ crucifixion, the disciples were still cowering in fear. Jesus appeared to them in His resurrected form and reassured them, offering His peace, and showing them His wounds to confirm that it was indeed Him. The disciples rejoiced at this. Then Jesus gave insight into what was coming next. The disciples were to be sent out on mission. They were to take the news of Jesus risen from the dead to the world. On their own, this would have been an overwhelming and impossible task. But Jesus did not leave them alone, just as He does not leave us alone. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit to guide them. This promise was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost. Jesus also said that through the Holy Spirit the Apostles would have the authority to “forgive” and “retain” sins. Here Jesus instituted the Sacrament of Confession. The Apostles passed this ministry of forgiveness down to their successors (bishops & priests) even to today. Thus, the Sacrament of Confession originates with Jesus Himself and is guided by the power of the Holy Spirit.