Repent!

Rrrrrrrreeeeeepppppeeeeeeeennnnnnnnnttt!!!

This was the homily (the whole homily) of a priest given a few decades back during the season of Lent and is still remembered to this day. Makes a priest think about their strategy of homily preparation. But I digress.

There is something to be said about the meaning of the word “repent” or “repentance”. To repent basically means turning completely away from sin so that you are completely turned towards God in holiness and living a holy life.

Lent is arguably the most recognizable season of the Church’s liturgical calendar for focusing on “repentance” or, in other words, conversion of one’s heart and life more fully to Jesus Christ. The goal of the season of Lent isn’t merely to give up something we like to see if we have the will-power to follow through. Nor is it simply a resolution for bodily health and wellness (though that can be a good, if not needed by-product). Lent is about growing in the theological virtues of faith, hope, and love. It is about being more deeply united to Christ as His disciple, imitating Him and allowing Him to work more efficaciously in us through the vehicle of our Lenten observances of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Finally, it is about growing in deeper love of our neighbor, that is, our spouse, our kids, our parents, our fellow parishioners, our colleagues at work, our community, and yes, even our enemies.

The sacrifices, prayers, fasting and almsgiving that we offer during these 40 days are meant to be spiritual weapons that the Holy Spirit uses to work His divine love in us and that makes us depend on Jesus more and more so that “I may decrease and He may increase” within me. That when people see me they see more of Jesus and less of me.

As we begin this Lenten Journey of 40 days with Jesus in the desert, let us ask for the Blessed Virgin Mary’s intercession that we may draw ever closer to her Son through deeper conversion of heart and like Mary, say “let it be done unto me according to your word” during this purifying sojourn in the desert with Jesus.

Fr. Ryan