Repentance holds a foundational place in the teaching of Jesus, marking the beginning of His public ministry. It was central to Jesus’ preaching because it addressed the fundamental human problem – sin, and prepared the people to receive the Kingdom of God, writes Bishop Reynaldo Bunyi Getalado msp of the Catholic Church.

The call to repentance is not merely to say sorry for sin, but a profound invitation to transformation and reconciliation with God. This call signifies a radical change in heart and mind, urging individuals to turn away from sin and towards a life aligned with God.

What is repentance

The term repentance has its roots in the Latin word “paenitere”, meaning to feel regret or to be sorry. The development of the word reflects a deep connection to the emotional and spiritual dimensions of feeling remorse for one’s actions, particularly in the context of sin and moral failure.

Repentance encompasses a profound transformation of the heart and mind. It involves a radical reorientation of one’s life towards God, characterised by sorrow for sins, committed and a firm resolution to amend one’s life.

Believe in the Gospel

Alongside the call to repentance is to believe in the Gospel. Jesus’ message is one of Hope and Salvation, and belief in the good news is the response that opens the door to this transformative experience.

The relationship between repentance and belief is not merely sequential; they are two sides of the same coin. To repent is to acknowledge one’s need for God and to trust is His mercy and grace.

This belief is not passive, it requires active engagement with the teachings of Jesus and a commitment to live according to His example. The Gospel calls individuals to a new way of living, one that reflects the values of the Kingdom of God.

Repentance and faith

The teachings of Jesus illustrate that repentance and faith are intimately linked. Repentance is a total yes to God, a surrender of one’s life to the transformative power of the Gospel. This surrender involves a deep trust in God’s plan and a willingness to follow Christ’s teachings. The act of turning away from sin is not merely a moral decision; it is a profound encounter with the living God who desires a relationship with each person.

Significance of repentance in Jesus’ Ministry

1. Repentance is essential for salvation – In Acts 2:38, Peter instructs the people to do penance, and be baptised, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of your sins. This indicates that repentance is linked to Baptism, which signifies the washing away of sins and the beginning of a new life in Christ. The act of repenting is thus a prerequisite for receiving the grace of the Holy Spirit and entering into a covenant relationship with God.
2. Repentance restores the broken relationship between humanity and God – Since the fall of Adam and Eve (Genesis 3), humanity has been separated from God due to sin. The entire mission of Jesus was to restore that relationship. Repentance is the first necessary step in turning away from sin and back to God.

Isaiah 59:2 – “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden His face from you so that He will not hear.”

Luke 15:7 – “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”

• Repentance is necessary for entering the Kingdom of God – Jesus constantly connected repentance with the coming of God’s Kingdom. The Kingdom is God’s reign over those who submit to Him, but it cannot be entered while still clinging to sin. Repentance was the gateway into this new reality.

            Matthew 4:17 – “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven has come near.”

John 3:3 – “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the Kingdom of God unless they are   born again.”

• Joy in repentance – The joy associated with repentance is also significant aspect of Jesus’ message. In Luke 15, Jesus shares parables illustrating the joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, emphasising that God’s love and mercy are boundless. This joy reflects the transformative power of repentance, which restores individuals to a right relationship with God and the community.
• Repentance is an act of God’s grace, not human effort – Biblical repentance is not merely a human decision; it is enabled by God’s grace. The Holy Spirit convicts people of their sin, leading them to repentance.

             Acts 11:18 – “So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.”

2 Timothy 2:25 – “Opponents must be gently instructed in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of thetruth.”

Jesus’ preaching of repentance was an invitation to receive God’s grace. It is not something we achieve by our own strength but something that God grants us.

Practical application in daily life

Living out the call to repent and believe the good news, requires practical steps in daily life. Individuals are encouraged to engage in regular self-examination. Also, we should have a good mental framework to achieve good result.

1. Everything is under the grace and mercy of God.
2. Even though we are gifted from God, if we ourself don’t participate in the process of transformation or reject the gifts of the Holy Spirit to repent and believe, nothing will happen to us.

For example, a person who is addicted to alcohol will find it hard to change if he has a mental framework that drinking is good for him, and find joy in the process. But if he examines himself and calculate how much he spent in alcohol in a month, or a year and the accidents that had happened because of driving under the influence of alcohol, he might open his eyes and see the wider picture and cooperate willingly for a change of heart.

Conclusion

Repentance is the cornerstone of Jesus’ message, serving an invitation to transformation, reconciliation and a deeper relationship with God. It is a call to recognise one’s sins, turn away from them and embrace the Gospel, leading to a life of faith and joy in the kingdom of God.