By Fr. Sam Koonamplackil, VC –
These are days to relinquish sin and evil pleasures in the spirit of repentance, and to become a new creation. What should we do to make the days after repentance a period of blessings? Some of the incidents and verses in the Bible give us greater insight into making our tomorrows better.
In the Gospel of Mark, Chapter 1, verses 14-15 the gospel writer describes the coming of Jesus to Galilee to proclaim the Good News. The essence of his inaugural speech is noteworthy: ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news’ (Mk 1:15). In the Greek version, the Lord’s exhortation to repent is shown by using the words ‘metanoia epistrophe’. The meaning of these words is ‘complete inner transformation’ or ‘utter turn-around’.
In the teachings of the Apostles also, who accompanied Jesus everywhere, this is very clear. It is noteworthy to hear what Peter tells the people whose hearts were broken after listening to his speech. He said to them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven” (Acts 2:38).
Reconciliation with God
From the teaching of Jesus (Mk 1:16) and from the proclamations of the Apostles (Acts 2:38) it is obvious that for entry into the Kingdom of Heaven there is a need for complete inner transformation and reconciliation with God. That is why from the very outset, Jesus spoke of repentance. This is made clearer in the Book of Jonah. “All, shall turn from their evil ways, and from the violence, that is in their hands” (3:8). This is what God demands for re-establishing relations. “The people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast, and everyone, great and small, put on sackcloth” (3:5) and repented. “When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil ways, God changed his mind about the calamity that he had said he would bring upon them; and he did not do it” (3:10). Blessing is announced here to people who have brought about their inner transformation. An entire nation is blessed by the mercy of the Lord.
The Bible teaches us that when individuals recognize the will of God and personally repent and take decisions as per the Word of God, they and their families receive great graces and blessings. The best example for this can be seen in the life and transformation of King David. When it was time for the kings to go to battle (2 Sam 11:1), King David sent all others to battle. He himself slept until sundown (2 Sam 11:2). In his indolence, he forgot his responsibilities and fell into lascivious desires. He committed sin with Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah (2 Sam 11:2). He planned evil strategies to get the husband of Bathsheba killed in battle (2 Sam 1:22-26). This caused a rupture in the relations of David with God. The thing that David had done displeased the LORD” (11:27).
God knew that David had sinned and broken the commandments and was displeased with him, but, at the same time, he did not refuse to give an opportunity to David to repent.
The Lord sent Prophet Nathan to David (2 Sam 12:1). The voice of the prophet is the voice of God. Thus God himself talked to David through Nathan. David’s inequities were presented to him very clearly as an incident happening elsewhere. David was angry at the injustice of the incident. And then, through Nathan, God pointed out that the one who was unjust was David himself (2 Sam 12:7). In the voice of the prophet, David recognized the voice of God. Then, without trying to hide his sin and without trying to justify it, David makes an open confession. He acknowledged his inequity and he sought forgiveness from God with a contrite heart. David said to Nathan, ‘I have sinned against the LORD.’ Nathan said to David, ‘Now the LORD has put away your sin’ (2 Sam 12:13).
When David repented and confessed, his sin was forgiven and he was reconciled with God and his relations with God were re-established. His life once again became peaceful and safe. David, who was filled with the spirit of repentance, proceeds to perform acts of penance. “David fasted, and went in and lay all night on the ground” (2 Sam 12:16). Although he was a king, he was ready to lie on the ground like an animal by way of repentance. He acknowledged the sinful state pointed out to him, confessed his iniquities, heartily repented, and was ready for a complete transformation, for an inner sanctification.
Infinite Blessings
Then the same Lord who had felt unhappy at the iniquities of David loved him (12:24). In lieu of a child he had lost, God gave him the wisest child – Solomon – and blessed him. It is from the same Tribe of David that Jesus the Saviour was born. When a person subjects himself to complete inner transformation, aided by divine inspiration, the person himself, his family, his community and his future generations will be showered with infinite blessings.”If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chr 7:14). One who repents comes back into divine relations. For him life once again becomes a blissful experience. He will prosper in all spheres of life – physical, spiritual and financial because his repentance has once again made him a child of God.
The model that David and the people of Nineveh give should be an inspiration for us. This inspiration should lead us out of the wilderness of sin and evil, and take us to the home of God. The Word reminds us that if we don’t turn back form evil ways, God will sharpen his sword (Ps 7:12). “If you turn back, I will take you back, and you shall stand before me” (Jer 15:19). Let us also enter into the freedom of the Kingdom of God and the joy of the Paradise. Prosperity and blessings are within your reach. Repentance is the means of acquiring them. By repenting we are sure to win back the blessings we had lost and divine graces will be showered upon us. That realization should flame the fire of inspiration in us. St Paul reminds us: “Clothe yourselves with the new self, created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph 4:24).