My parents and I went to church this evening. Part of the scripture that was read was about John the Baptist. He told everyone to get ready for Jesus as He was coming soon. He also warned people to repent. Often we think of repentance as a humiliating process – particularly if we go to the Sacrament of Confession or Reconciliation. The priest talked about just that. He gave a new perspective of the word “repentance”. Instead of looking downcast and ashamed, we should be looking upward toward the loving gaze of Jesus. His definition of repentance was to first realize that you are a beloved child of God. Then we need to acknowledge that we have not lived up to that love. And next, we do what we can to make amends and to change harmful behavior. I thought this was a beautiful way of looking at it. It certainly made me think – how often can I not even do the first thing – realize that I am a beloved child of God. I am certainly guilty of being guilty. But I know that just keeps me away from God. If I cannot look at Him who loves me above all, how can I allow Him to be a part of my life. Recently, a priest that I have been talking with encouraged me to begin reading specific scripture that focus on God’s love. It has been wonderful and helps me to replace the guilty feeling with the truth of being a beloved child of God. I certainly acknowledge that I have not lived up to that love. I am human with human faults. But I do try to change behavior and thoughts that are harmful to me and to others. I appreciated the new perspective.

I Found God today in a new way of looking at repentance.