Wednesday, 19th Week of Ordinary Time

Matthew 4:12-25
Morning Prayer

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

My impression is that, in the Episcopal Church, the word “repentance” is one of those special words reserved for Lent, and is closely linked to our sinful acts.  So, we undertake certain acts of discipline, like fasting or self-denial, to toughen ourselves up and better resist temptations to sin.  That is certainly part of what Jesus means by repentance.  But it is only a part of what it means for us to “repent.”  And if we limit our understanding to specific actions, we are putting the cart before the horse.

The Greek word, metanoia, literally means the changing of one’s mind.  The first step of repentance is not to do anything.  And if we simply try to change our actions, without understanding why we chose to act the way we did, then our repentance will not get to the heart of our alienation.  Of course, that may be the most fearful part.  It might mean bringing to the conscious mind fears, angers, and resentments that we have buried, in the hope that once buried, they would not trouble our sleep, or break our hearts again.

But as Jesus also says elsewhere in the Gospel, don’t be afraid.  His kingdom is at hand.  He is here, right now among us, in his Word of grace, the communion of his Body and Blood, and in the community of those who extend his loving touch to each other.  So, change your mind!