The eighth word in my Lent lexicon is:
REPENT.
Repentance is an essential practices of Lent. It can be one of the most uncomfortable too. In order to repent, to turn back to God, we have to first recognise that we have turned away from God. We have to be aware that we have taken a wrong turn before we can take steps to correct it.
I suspect that however much we speak of a loving God who welcomes us back with open arms it’s a prospect we’re reluctant to trust in reality. However much we repent we’re afraid we won’t be welcomed back
Today’s first reading, from the Book of Jonah dispels that fear. When Jonah calls the people of Nineveh to repent for their sins and return to God they do as he asks. They take time out from their daily lives to pray and fast, they change their behaviour, trying to live good lives with all the effort and sacrifice that entails. The result couldn’t be clearer:
“God saw their efforts to renounce their evil behaviour, and God relented.”
This reading offers us real and practical hope for our own situation. God forgave the Ninevites when they sincerely tried to repent. We can hope that the same will be true for us if we also repent, turning back to God in trust and humility. Lent gives us the opportunity discover the steps we need to take to return to the presence of the God who is waiting to love, heal & forgive us.
Where is God calling you to repent this Lent?