Doesn’t repentance sound like a great idea – for all the people who have wronged me? I’m less inclined to be excited about my own repentance! When John lives out his vocation to prepare his contemporaries for Jesus’ first coming, he starts by telling them to repent. Perhaps there is a reason he lived in the wilderness? To avoid the reactions of the people he spoke to in town? But the message is so necessary, then and now. If we want a world of peace and joy, we need to start with seeing, and then turning away from, our own attractions to and love for the very habits, attitudes and behaviours which prevent us from receiving God’s life. What valleys and mountains do you cling to that are obstructing God’s path to your heart? Is it your desire for things to be easy? Your addiction to the little white lies that seem easier than facing the truth? Make an appointment with your journal, or make a plan to go to Reconciliation this week. Turning away from your own sin feels great – once you can see how it is not helping you. So turn around and let God in. You’ll be glad you did!
For the desire to repent from the things we use to keep God’s abundant life from reaching us, we pray to the Lord.
Jesus, you came to give us abundant life. Just like every generation before us, we get attached to the hills and valleys and sins that keep you at a “safe” distance. Help us to turn back to you, to see the obstacles. Give us the grace to desire a smoother way by letting go of our sins, so you can fill our hands and hearts with new life. Amen.
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Taken from the Facebook page of Roman Catholic Diocese of Calgary
