Repent!

“Repent!” 

Jesus begins his ministry with that word: “Repent!” It’s a good  word. The closer we come to the living God, the more we realize  how far we are from being the saints that we could be. Continual  conversion is spiritually healthy. 

But the word itself evokes mixed emotions within me. On the other side of the window, the room was crowded. A man  rhythmically pushed on the boy’s chest. A woman prepared the  paddles. Another watched the monitor to see if the flat line would  bump up. 

The emergency room doctor had filled me in, as I was there in the  role of chaplain. Nineteen years old; arrived unresponsive; mother  and aunt are here. 

From our side of the window, his mother watched and wept. “It  started a few days ago. He was just sick. We don’t have insurance.  He’s young. He’s healthy. We thought he’d get better. Then today his  eyes started to roll back in his head. We didn’t know what to do. Oh,  oh, oh . . .” 

Her sister started to shake with anger. “This is all your fault! If  you had repented, if you had raised him right, if you had brought  him to church, God would not be punishing you like this. You reap  what you sow. Repent!” 

With my arm around her shoulder, I felt the mother shrink inward.  Her jaw tightened. Her pale face grew even paler. The sister carried  on and on. I finally asked her to step into the hallway and be still. 

An hour later, the ER doctor caught my eye through the window  and slowly shook her head. The nurses left. All activity in the room  had ceased. 

That night, a mother lost her son. She may also have lost her sister  and whatever faith in a loving God she might have had. That same  night, I went home and held my own nineteen-year-old son.

Consider/Discuss 

• What images or stories come into your mind when you hear the word  “Repent!” 
• Conversion of heart is a daily challenge. We never know what life will  bring. How can we not take those around us for granted? How can we be  a bit more merciful in our judgments today? 

Living and Praying with the Word 

God of the living, you call us to repentance so that we can live  a healthier and more abundant life. Forgive us when we drive you  away. Forgive us when we drive others away from you. We are weak.  We do not see how we hurt people. This day, open our eyes to see  where and how you want us to repent. Help us show greater mercy  in our interactions with others.