REPENT AND LIVE

⏰Wednesday of the Fourteenth Week of Ordinary Time 1 (12 July 2017)

????Gen 41:55-57, 42:5-7a, 17-24a; Ps 33:2-3, 10-11, 18-19 (R.v.22); Matt 10:1-7

The prophet Ezekiel said in Ezek 18:21, “If a sinner turns away from his sin, observes my decrees and practices what is right and just, he will live; he will not die.” Consider what transpired between Joseph and his brothers from that angle (cf. Gen 42:20-24). The brothers showed remorse for their evil against him and he was moved to tears.

Our catechism teaches us that an act of contrition is an essential part of the Sacrament of Penance. This act of contrition is more than the words we use during confession; it is rather an attitude, a resolution not to commit the sin again.

Two important words “Teshuvah” in Hebrew and “Metanoia” in Greek help us to understand perfectly what is required of a penitent. Both words, which are often translated as “repentance” literarily mean “a complete turnaround.” That is in action, not just in mere words.

Unfortunately, many prepare for confession even before committing sin. Some even plan for another sin while confessing the one already done. For such people, sin is no longer a mistake but an attitude; confession thus becomes a “mere detergent”.

Let us note that God cannot be deceived (Gal 6:7). When we decide to freely walk in and out of sin with the mindset that God understands and will always forgive, we must also remember that we are tenants in our body; we shall all go home to give account of our lives on a day we do not know. How prepared are we for that day?

Jesus continues to send his word and ministers to us daily as he did to Israel (cf. Matt 10:1-7). May we make us of all the opportunities he offers us so as not to be caught unawares in the end. Amen.

I wish you a grace-filled and spirit-filled day ahead. Peace be with you.