The repentance

Good morning, happy Thursday and blessings.

Today I ask you; What is true repentance? Repentance is more than confession, and much more than regret or feel guilty. Repentance is a fact of the will; is to be willing to turn your back on sin. In the Bible we find many who said: "I have sinned" but did not repent. To all such God says: "tear your heart and not your clothes" (Joel 2:13). In other words, they should not only say they are very sorry, but repent.

I have always been intrigued by hopeless repent.  Judas Iscariot repented of betraying Jesus when he saw himself without hope; a regret that really is not regret. "Then Judas, the one who had delivered him, seeing that he was condemned, returned the thirty pieces of silver repentantly to the chief priests and the elders, saying: I have sinned by giving innocent blood" (Matthew 27: 3-5). It is possible to feel pity or sorrow for sins without returning to God. As people sink so much in remorse that they commit suicide, but remorse and feeling sorry is not repent. 

What is true repentance? The prodigal son portrays true biblical repentance. After wasting his inheritance in a lost life, he finally returned to his father and repented: "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you" (Luke 15:21). And he was completely forgiven.

Repentance requires three important factors. On the one hand, the renunciation of sin - "He who conceals his or her sins will not prosper: but he who confesses them will gain mercy" (Proverbs 28:13). Isaiah said: "Seek Jehovah while he may be found; call on him while he is near, let the wicked person leave his way and the wicked person turn his thoughts and turn to Jehovah, who will have mercy on him and our God, who will be broad in forgiving "(Isaiah 55: 6-7). On the other hand, the reconciliation of sin - Without this, there is no repentance: that is, it is not possible to be right with God without being reconciled with other people (Matthew 5: 23-24). And of course, restitution of sin - Nor can there be repentance if restitution for sin is necessary. Sometimes it is not possible to make restitution, but when it is, it is imperative. Zacchaeus, the tax collector said to Jesus when he visited him: "Behold, Lord: I give half of my goods to the poor: and if I have disappointed anyone in any way, I return it in quadruplicate." It was then that the Lord said: "Today salvation has come to this house" (Luke 19: 8-9). Now I ask you: Have you truly repented?

Blessings

Fr. Luis +