Repentance

“Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.’”

Mark 1:14-15

As we come near the end of Lent, approaching Holy Week next week, it is a suitable time to reflect on repentance. Hopefully, we have all spent some time on this topic in the weeks that have passed since Ash Wednesday. We hear Jesus talk about repentance in all three synoptic Gospels. Repentance is different than feeling regret or sorrow about leaving “undone those things which we ought to have done,” and having “done those things which we ought not to have done,” as it says in the confession in the Rite I Daily Office. Making this confession of our sins is important but is only part of repentance. When we repent, it means that, after confession, we turn away from sin and go in a different direction, specifically in a direction toward God. Repentance leads to a change of heart and a change of action. The change of heart is to turn toward God, away from sin, giving over to God those things that we hold onto control over. Then our actions reflect the change of heart – the way we live, the things we do, how we invest our resources.

Take some time to think about repentance in the remaining days of Lent. Think of the sins you need to confess to God and then make a plan to move in a new direction toward God.

Prayer for The Church

Gracious Father, we pray for thy holy Catholic Church. Fill it with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in any thing it is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of Jesus Christ thy Son our Savior. Amen.

Book of Common Prayer, page 816