Memorial of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Religious
With the beginning of the New Year, many people choose to make resolutions. Some people decide to eat healthy, exercise more, read more, get more sleep, save more money… the list goes on and on. In today’s gospel Jesus calls us (actually He commands us) to repent. Repent means to feel remorse for wrongdoing and sin, but it also means to have a change of heart and mind- to turn away from our sinful ways and towards God and His love. As we enter into this New Year, may we hear the words of Jesus reminding us to turn to Him, so that by the way we live we may bring the Kingdom of heaven to the world around us.
In the gospel, Jesus follows in the footsteps of John who had prepared the way by preaching words of repentance. Jesus moves to Galilee to begin His ministry. He becomes the light to those who live in darkness. Through His preaching and actions Jesus bring the Good News to many and also brings healing and wholeness to those who listen to His gospel. Many people across the region hear the message of hope and love and follow Him as He spreads the Kings of Heaven.
Jesus calls us today to that same repentance to help build His kingdom. As we begin 2016 maybe this would be a good opportunity to see how we can repent (have a change of heart/ mind) and follow Jesus more closely. When I reflect on being a follower of Jesus, it involves living righteously (being in right relationship) with God, others and myself. These are some of the questions that come to mind when I think about how God may be calling me to repent:
In my relationship with God- am I being called to recognize Him in my life- to give Him the glory and praise for all that I have? Maybe I need to change by being more aware of how my actions (or lack of action) and words take me away from God’s love and mercy? With this awareness God could be calling me to a deeper awareness of His mercy in my life. Maybe God is calling me to turn to Him in trust in Him both in the good and bad times- to trust that no matter what the situation God is there.
In my relationship with others: could God be calling me to see the good in others- to give every person the “benefit of the doubt” even when they may be a source of injury and hurt to me. Is God calling me to have an attitude of seeing His presence in every person I encounter instead of finding only judgment? Is God asking me to repent and act out of an attitude of mercy and forgiveness?
In my relationship with myself ( which sometimes is the most challenging)- Is God calling me to see myself as He does- and to love myself as He loves me- even with the weaknesses, faults, and imperfections? Is God calling me to turn to Him and seek the person He created me to be, so that I can use all that I am to serve Him and others? Do I take the time to do that?
All of these questions help us to consider how we are being called to repent- to remember the ways that we have acted, to be sorry for those ways, but most importantly to change our hearts and minds to turn to God and allow Him to change us and become His holy people. If we take seriously this call to repent and allow God’s grace to transform our lives, then we truly can begin to build the Kingdom of God right now in 2016!
"Heavenly Father, thank you for this New Year ahead. Thank you for Jesus who came to call us back to you. Through the grace of Your Spirit may we repent and return to You, so that through our lives of love and mercy we can build Your kingdom. May our lives give You all the glory and praise. We pray this through Christ, our LORD. Amen."
- Marylynn Herchline