Feeling sorry, acknowledging guilt, and prolonging regret
may be components of the human condition, but they are not what Jesus means by
repentance. Repentance is the response to grace that overcomes the past and
opens out to a new future. Repentance distinguishes Christian life as one of
struggle and conversion and pervades it, not with remorse, but with hope. The
message of Jesus is not “Repent,” but “Repent for the Kingdom of God is near.”
John Shea, A Star at Its Rising:
Advent Meditations
________________________________
the word is thrown around careless,
like disposable containers littering the road
an empty beer can here
a McDonald’s wrapper there
repentance
there are those who love the sound of the word
or so it seems
and use it as a weapon
pointing it with deadly accuracy at the already wounded
repent
we use it when convenient
we use it to control
we use it to shame
we avoid it
we wallow in it
this idea that some how we must recognize our
“sinfulness”
feel the pain of our lost innocence,
understand the destructive forces at work in our world
and our own personal evil
and yet it seems that for many the process of repentance
is incomplete
repentance, or metanoia, is a process of turning
it is indeed a matter of turning from
turning from things such as hate, and greed
turning from those thoughts, feelings,
words and behaviors that are destructive
we have to see the ways in which the original blessing
has been lost
in which the divine image has been blurred
in us
in our country
in our world
and stop, and turn
but too often we stop here
which leaves us with repentance half-chewed,
stuck in our throats
we choke on our remorse, and regret
we struggle to breath the fresh air of grace
repent
repent for
repent for the Kingdom of God is near
repent
turn around
look behind you
see the glow of Sacred love rising over the ruins of Eden
know that in turning you not only turn from
you turn toward
light
hope
joy
peace
you turn toward love
and an entirely new
you
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