Repent - is the first word of Jesus' Preaching

Gospel Thoughts

*Christmas Season : Monday after Epiphany*

*GOSPEL - Mt 4:12-17; 23-25*

*First Reading - 1 Jn 3:22-4:6*

*Repent - is the first word of Jesus' Preaching*

*1) Meaning of Repentance*

Repentance is the activity of reviewing one's actions and feeling contrition or regret for past wrongs, which is accompanied by commitment to do actions that show and prove a change for the better.

In simple words repentance is a kind of Change which helps a person to change his previous wrong actions and to live a good and holy life 

*2) When something comes first, it has special significance*

Since the word *Repent* comes in first in the preaching of Jesus, it has a special significance and importance to our life 

Usually we pay a lot of attention to those things which come first in our lives. 

So this repentance has to be reflected very seriously since it comes first in the preaching of Jesus

*3) Repentance is the New Door to the  New Life brought by Jesus*

The very fact that repentance comes first in Jesus' ministry, it becomes a door to enter into the new life brought by Jesus

It is a door to meet Jesus 

It is a door to holiness 

It is a door which leads to forgiveness, mercy and grace 

It is a door, which makes us to change our life to suite ourselves to the way of life, which is needed for the new way of life, a life for the kingdom 

*4) Repentance has something to do with our life*

Repentance is not something which is out side of us 

Repentance is something which has to do with our life. 

Repentance is that which touches the core of our being 

Repentance is that which, helps a person to see inside of his own self 

Repentance is that which changes the person completely, if taken seriously

*5) In every preaching of Jesus Repentance comes*

Jesus brings out this concept in every preaching

This becomes one of the main themes of His preaching and Mission 

Ultimately, everything is geared up to this concept. In a way we can say the repentance is everything in Jesus' mission 

*6) There is no alternative thing for repentance*

Repentance can not be substituted with anything 

There is no alternative for repentance. 

The only thing which works with repentance, is *Repentance* nothing else

*7) Repentance is the climax of His Mission*

Jesus starts His mission with *Repent*

Jesus concludes His mission with *Forgiveness/Call for repentance*

From the Cross Jesus said *Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.* Luke 23:34

So repentance becomes the climax of His mission 

*8) What about me?*

What is the role of repentance in my life? 

Have I realised that repentance is everything in life? 

Have I realized ultimately, it is only the repentance that survives? 

Have I realised that ultimately it is only the repentance that saves my life? 

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*