Repent and believe in the gospel (Mark 1:15)
Who wants to admit that they are wrong? That it is rare is why someone is called a ‘big person’ if they do admit their mistakes. During Lent, we need to engage in personal reflection so that we can more fully celebrate Easter. To repent means to admit to yourself your limitations, your selfishness. To repent is to admit that you have missed opportunities to treat others with love and/or respect.
We need to abandon a definition of ‘to believe’ being intellectual assent in favour of ‘to set your heart’ upon something. If I set my heart upon the gospel, I set my heart upon being a disciple of Jesus. Lent calls me to reflect daily that I am living up to such a lofty goal. I set my heart upon being a conduit for love, compassion and respect – and so bringing closer the full life to which we are all called at Easter, and every day.
Have a great week!
Patrick
livedgospel 