Repent and Believe in the Gospel

Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you.” The word “repent” is an interesting yet important word to consider in our own individual relationship with God and our first and primary vocation as His beloved children. Repentance is important, necessary, and referred to several times in scripture and even highlighted as the theme for penitential services and certain liturgical seasons throughout the year. We hear scripture cry out to us when John the Baptist appeared in the desert proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” However, what does that mean to you when you hear the word repent? Does repenting scare you or make you nervous or do you welcome it and are grateful to God for the gift and opportunity to repent? We hear Jesus in scripture echo John’s words to us and even begin every Lenten Season with the call to “Repent and believe in the gospel.” However, what does that mean and what exactly is Jesus asking you to do? It seems repenting is required in order to obtain the keys to unlock the doorway to heaven and enter the realm where angels get to sing, adore and play and all the holy servants of God get to worship, pray, and praise. We need to repent but why and how. Do you know how to repent? If asked to describe what repentance looks like, will you be able to do so with ease or even provide a helpful, useful definition to explain the concept of repentance off the top of your head and without using an on-line search? Can you explain the role of repentance with confidence and personally share with another the life-giving benefits derived from a life lived in a spirit of repentance? Repentance is significant to our spiritual pilgrimage leading us to the things pertaining to heaven. It’s also important in those deep revealing meditative earthly moments when on retreat or the deep contemplative state of divine intimate prayer. Repentance calls for true contrition, a change of heart, amendment of ways and behavior. The invitation we receive in our heart is for us to turn away from selfish disordered desires that give rise to disobedience and rebellion towards God and to “Repent, and be converted, that your sins may be wiped away.” We repent when we feel sorrow or when we genuinely express sincere regret. We repent when we freely say we are sorry and humbly ask for forgiveness from the heart.