Repent and Believe the Good News
Repent and Believe the Good News...
Fr. Patrick Etuk
...As we gather on this 3rd Sunday of the year, the liturgical readings guide us toward a profound theme that resonates throughout the Scriptures: repentance. From Jonah's mission to Nineveh to Jesus' call to his first disciples, we are invited to reflect on the urgency of turning back to God and embracing a life of faith.
In the first reading, Jonah 3:1-5, 10, we witness the power of God's word to evoke change. Jonah, initially reluctant, finally goes to Nineveh and proclaims God's message. The response is immediate and communal. The Ninevites, from the greatest to the least, demonstrate profound humility and a deep commitment to change. Their actions show us that repentance is not merely a private affair but a communal endeavor. Their sackcloth and fasting are external signs of an internal transformation, a powerful reminder that our faith must be lived out in community, supporting and strengthening one another in our journey towards God.
The Psalmist in Psalm 24 reminds us of the purity and holiness required to stand in God's holy place. It's a call to integrity and righteousness, a beacon guiding our path of repentance. The clean hands and pure heart are not just metaphors but real-life aspirations for every believer seeking to live in the presence of the Divine.
In the second reading, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Paul speaks with urgency, reminding us that "the time is running out." This message resonates deeply, especially in our modern world filled with distractions and temporary pleasures. Paul encourages us to live in this world with a detachment from its fleeting joys and sorrows, focusing instead on the eternal kingdom that Jesus proclaimed.
The Gospel of Mark 1:14-20 illustrates the beginning of Jesus' public ministry. Jesus' proclamation, "The kingdom of God is at hand, repent, and believe in the gospel," is not just a call to change but an invitation to a transformative relationship. It's a call to leave behind our own "nets" - perhaps comfort, pride, or materialism - and follow Him. The fishermen's immediate response to Jesus’ call, leaving their nets and their old lives, signifies the total commitment and trust that following Jesus requires.
In our lives, there are "nets" that entangle us, holding us back from fully embracing the call of Jesus. These might be our excessive attachments, our fears, our prejudices, or our sinful habits. True repentance involves not just turning away from sin but also turning towards God, leaving behind these nets to embrace a life of discipleship.
Let us end with an inspiring story of conversion. St. Augustine, once caught up in a life of pleasures and worldly ambitions, experienced a profound transformation. His journey from a life of sin to sainthood began with hearing a child's voice saying, "Take and read." Picking up the Bible, his eyes fell on Romans 13:13-14, "Not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh." This moment of grace led to his conversion, reminding us that God's call can reach us at any moment, turning our hearts towards Him.
In the words of St. Augustine, "You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you." May this Sunday be a moment for us to recognize our restlessness, to leave our nets behind, and to find our rest in the boundless mercy and love of God. Let us embrace the call to repentance, not out of fear, but out of a profound desire to live in the joy and freedom of God's kingdom, which is already among us.
Seven-Day Journey of Repentance and Trust in God
Day 1: Recognizing Our Nets
Scripture: Mark 1:18 - "At once they left their nets and followed him."
Reflection: Today, identify the 'nets' in your life – those attachments or habits that keep you from fully following Christ. Reflect on what holds you back from a deeper relationship with God.
Tip: Write down the 'nets' you identify and contemplate why they have such a hold on you.
Affirmation: "I am more than my habits and attachments. I am a beloved child of God, called to a life of freedom and joy."
Prayer: Lord, help me see the nets that entangle me. Grant me the courage to leave them behind and follow You wholeheartedly.
Day 2: Embracing Humility
Scripture: Jonah 3:5 - "The Ninevites believed God. They declared a fast, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth."
Reflection: Contemplate the humility of the Ninevites. True repentance starts with recognizing our need for God's mercy.
Tip: Practice a small act of humility today. It could be as simple as admitting a mistake or listening more than speaking.
Affirmation: "In my weakness, God's strength is revealed. My humility opens the door to His grace."
Prayer: Heavenly Father, teach me to walk in humility. May my heart be open to Your transformative work.
Day 3: The Urgency of the Moment
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7:29 - "The time is short."
Reflection: Reflect on the brevity of life and the urgent call to change. Consider what changes you need to make today to live more fully for God.
Tip: Make a decision to change one thing in your routine today that will align you more closely with God's will.
Affirmation: "Each moment is a gift and an opportunity to turn towards God. I will not waste today."
Prayer: Lord, let me live this day with the urgency it deserves. Help me to prioritize my relationship with You above all else.
Day 4: Detachment from the World
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7:31 - "For this world in its present form is passing away."
Reflection: Ponder the temporary nature of worldly things. How can you live in the world but not be of it?
Tip: Choose to forgo a worldly pleasure today to deepen your appreciation for the eternal things of God.
Affirmation: "My true treasure lies in Heaven. I seek lasting joy and peace in God's eternal kingdom."
Prayer: God, help me to detach from the fleeting things of this world. Draw my heart towards the everlasting joy found in You.
Day 5: Answering the Call
Scripture: Mark 1:17 - "Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”
Reflection: Jesus calls each of us to follow Him and to bring others to Him. How are you responding to this call?
Tip: Share a piece of Scripture or an experience of God's love with someone today.
Affirmation: "I am called to be a light in the world, reflecting the love and truth of Christ."
Prayer: Jesus, help me to hear Your call clearly and to respond with a willing heart. Use me as an instrument of Your love.
Day 6: The Power of God's Word
Scripture: Jonah 3:1 - "Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you."
Reflection: Jonah's obedience led to the transformation of Nineveh. How can God's word, spoken through you, transform your surroundings?
Tip: Spend extra time reading and meditating on God's Word today. Ask for the grace to live it out authentically.
Affirmation: "God's word is alive and active in me. I am a bearer of His transformative truth."
Prayer: Lord, may Your word resonate deeply within me. Let it guide my actions and words today.
Day 7: Rest in God's Presence
Scripture: Psalm 24:4 - "The one who has clean hands and a pure heart."
Reflection: True repentance leads us into the presence of God. Reflect on the peace and joy that comes from a pure heart and clean hands before God.
Tip: Find a quiet place to sit in God's presence. Let go of your thoughts and concerns, and just rest in Him.
Affirmation: "In God's presence, I find peace and rest. My heart is pure, my hands are clean, and I am wholly His."
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I come to You in stillness. Refresh me, renew me, and hold me in Your perfect peace.
This seven-day journey is an invitation to deepen your relationship with God through repentance, humility, and trust. May each day bring you closer to the heart of the Father, transforming your life from the inside out.