3RD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Repent, and believe in the gospel. What would happen if Jesus spoke these commanding words today? Would his listeners accuse him of shoving his religion down their throats? Would they give him a lecture on tolerance or insist that repentance is an outdated idea from a bygone era obsessed with guilt? How many of us would actually listen to him, take him at his word, and do what he said? Our modern sensitivities have been programmed to respond with skepticism, if not anger, to any suggestion that there is a right way of doing things or a true religion. Much of our culture subtly preaches that right and wrong is all relative and that religions are all generally the same. But when Jesus tells us to repent, he implies that some of the choices we are making are wrong, that we need to change; to eliminate our sins, to turn toward God, and to become more loving, more generous, and more forgiving. And when he tells us to believe in the Gospel, hes not just making a recommendation or offering some sage advice. He is giving us directions for what we need to do to enter into the kingdom of God. The challenge we face in our day and age is to silence the societal messages that color our thoughts and instead listen to Jesus with an open mind. Are we willing to let his words affect us? Are we ready to examine our lives and repent of our sins? Are we prepared to believe the good news he preached of salvation and forgiveness? His message is more than a command. Its an invitation. He wants us to share in the glory of his heavenly kingdom, now and for all eternity. The question is only how we will respond to this divine invitation.
Posted on: Sun, 25 Jan 2015 10:10:00 +0000
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