SERMON/HOMILY FOR WEDNESDAY OF THE FIRST WEEK OF LENT 21ST FEBRUARY 2024

SERMON/HOMILY FOR WEDNESDAY OF THE FIRST WEEK OF LENT 21ST FEBRUARY 2024

Jonah 3:1-10; Ps.51; Luke 11:29-32

A movement that is Repentance

Repentance necessarily involves a movement towards God. But it is not every movement towards God that is repentance. In the two readings of today, people moved towards God. While that of the first reading was interpretated as repentance, Jesus himself referred to the movement towards him in the gospel reading as something evil. Now, let us evaluate both movements quite closely.

In the first reading, the people of Nineveh, who though were materially great, secured and sufficient, learnt through Prophet Jonah that they will be destroyed in forty days’ time on account of their misdeeds that have separated them from God. The message was clear: that the impeding destruction was a result of their sins which has distanced them from the Lord. Invariably, what will save them will be a return to the Lord. But for them to return adequately, they must do the reverse of what they did that separated them from God. It was from their actions that they sinned against God; it will also be from their action they will return to God.

So, their return to God was not just one of acknowledging ones sins; it wasn’t just a return of saying I’m sorry; it wasn’t a pretentious return that lasts only for a little while. They were ready to live differently henceforth according to the commandments of God. So, their return to God is properly repentance because in it, their hearts where truly and completely broken. In this return, there was a sincere sorrow for sin and a firm purpose of amendment – a strong desire and genuine effort not to sin again. If our return to God does not have these features, it is not yet repentance.

Such was the case in the gospel reading. The crowd coming to Jesus was increasing because they wanted Jesus to work miracles for them; it didn’t matter to them if they were in right standing with God or not. They came to Jesus just the way passersby will get into a party in the neighbourhood, collect food and move on; they were no intention for establishing or perfecting relationship.

Now, our return to God in this season of lent may not be repentance if we simply defer our sinful habits to the time after Lent. For example, if I say I won’t tell lies throughout the season of lent, I am not really repenting. But if I say I want to use this Lenten season to overcome the temptation of telling lies such that even after lent, I will continue on the path of truth, then I am repenting. If you decide with your sexual partner (to whom you are not married) to keep away from each other this Lenten season, you are only deferring the sin of fornication, because you hope to come back to each other after lent. But if you use this Lenten season to break the relationship or resolve to remove the sexual aspect from lent henceforth, then you are truly repenting.

In the gospel acclamation, Jesus calls us to RETURN to him, not to VISIT him. Visiting means to come and go back after some time. Returning means to come and stay permanently. Lent is a time to return not to visit.