Repent and Turn Back to God

01-24-2021Weekly ReflectionFr. Tony Okolo CSSp

One remarkable aspect we see in today’s liturgy is that Jesus begins his first public ministry by callingpeople to repentance and to believe the Gospel. His first sermon after His baptism were “This is thetime of fulfillment. The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the gospel.” It shows what Hecame to do, to call humanity to repentance and reconcile people with God. This message of repentancewas also the first sermon John the Baptist preached and equally the first sermon of Peter after theresurrection of Christ. Jesus’ sermon of repentance is immediately followed by an invitation of people tofollow Him and to believe in the gospel, the good news He has come to deliver. Similarly, the messageof repentance and reconciliation is also what we see in today’s first reading from the book of Jonah.The Lord orders Jonah to go to Nineveh, capital of Assyria and preach repentance to the Ninevites.

The boarding pass into the kingdom of God is “Repentance and To Believe.” Repentance here, meansto change our way of thinking, our attitude, our disposition, and life choices so that Christ becomes thecenter and Master of our heart rather than sin, selfishness and greed. If we are only sorry for theconsequences of our sins, we will very likely keep repeating the same sin that is mastering us. Truerepentance for sins requires a contrite heart (Psalm 51:17) and sorrow for sin and firm resolution toavoid it in future. The Lord Jesus gives us grace to see sin for what it really is, a rejection of His loveand wisdom for our lives and a refusal to do what is good and in accord with His will. His grace bringspardon that helps us turn away from everything that would keep us from His love that He offers. Are weready to cooperate with His grace and turn away from sin, selfishness and pride that reject God’sinvitation and grace? The moment we make a firm decision to turn away from sin, He welcomes us withopen arms.

Jesus’ message of believe and repentance is followed by a call to follow Him that He will make usfishers of men and women. It is good to observe that He chooses simple people of ordinary backgroundto carry on with the work of preaching and service. Jesus wants ordinary people like you who wouldtake up the mission of continuing the work of evangelization. He chooses people, not for what they are,but for what they would be capable of becoming under His direction and power of the Spirit. In the sameway, Jesus wants you to be part of His ministry in bringing people to God. You are God’s instrumentand He is ready to use you to bring other people to God if you are ready to open yourself to Him. Hedoes not call the perfect but calls the imperfect to make them perfect. Just say yes to Him and allowHim to use you and you will be surprised at what gifts you have. He wants others to see the light ofChrist in you, in the way you live, speak and witness to others the joy of the gospel.

We conclude with a prayer, “Lord Jesus, you have called me personally by name, just as youcalled your first disciples, Simon, Andrew, James and John. Help me to believe your word andfollow you faithfully. Fill me with the joy of the gospel that your light may shine through me toothers and give me the courage to turn away from sin, and to bring others to you. Amen.

May God bless you and your families and grant you all at the beginning of this year peace and goodhealth in your various families.

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