Recently,  I attended Msgr. Donovan High School’s production of Les Miserables. They did a great job and it truly had all the emotion and power this play produces. I should know, I have seen “Les Mize” 5 times … first in Philadelphia, twice on Broadway, and now two high school productions. Yet this time I recognized how the music was used to connect the response to forgiveness, same melody, two different outcomes.

In the beginning of the play, Jean Valjean, on parole for minor crimes he committed, robs the bishop, who gave him shelter and food. Caught by the police and now facing the bishop, Valjean is spared. The bishop does not report him as the one who robbed him, but gives the silver candle sticks as part of the original gift. The bishop reminds Valjean that he has bought his soul for God. Valjean sings “Who is this Man?” a beautiful melody that allows us to see his inner struggle as he faces the kindness of another, who recognizes his humanity and offers him forgiveness.

That same melody is sung by Javert, the police officer who is seeking Valjean for breaking parole. Caught as a spy by the student rebels, and meant for death, Valjean with knife in hand frees him. Javert sings the same melody, “Who is this Man?” and struggles with a reality he cannot accept; forgiveness from one who has broken the law! For these two men, their lives are changed. Valjean regains his humanity and lives in the light, while Javert loses his in darkness.

In the Passion of our Lord, both Peter and Judas committed a crime; Judas betrayed Jesus to the authorities and Peter denied him to the crowd in the court yard. By their actions they both find themselves in darkness. Sad to say Judas remains in darkness and his actions will foreshadow the road Javert will take. Peter, trusting in Jesus, accepts the forgiveness offered to him and regains his relationship with Jesus and the Church.

How do we deal with forgiveness? Do we allow forgiveness to change our lives and see, once again, the human person created in the image of God, or do we hold on to the pain of the past and refuse to believe that we or others can change … and hide in the darkness?

Lent is a great time to reflect on our need to seek forgiveness and to forgive. Through prayer, fasting and acts of charity, we can discover where we need to be forgiven, and who we need to forgive. Our Holy Father Pope Francis invites all of us to see the Sacrament of Confession as the door to mercy … an open door that will allow us to reclaim our humanity, redeemed and made whole; while we gain the courage and strength to forgive others.

Now is the acceptable time …”Who is this Man?” He is the Christ, and he offers us all the gift of forgiveness that restores our humanity and allows us to live in the light of a new day.

God bless.

Father Sirianni is pastor of St. Robert Bellarmine Parish, Freehold, and diocesan director of the Office of Worship.