The message and mission of Jesus are summed up in these two terms: repentance and forgiveness. These are the core of Jesus’ ministry among us. You might recall that at the beginning of Matthew’s and Mark’s versions of the Gospel, John the Baptist and Jesus, respectively, encourage people to repent. This means turning away from our sins, having a conversion, and turning towards God and following
the instructions that God has given for our lives. As we do so, God forgives our sins. God does not hold anything against us, and embraces us fully as children whom he has created and whom he loves beyond our limited understanding.
This reconciliation with God is a two-way street: I do what I need to do, and God is waiting, like the father in the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15), to restore us to our original dignity as sons and
daughters created in God’s image. It seems that repentance and forgiveness are two sides of a single coin. And of course, they are not only celebrated once. Each time we turn away from God and stop loving our sisters and brothers, we need a conversion. Each time we do so, God forgives. God never tires of forgiving.
The same cannot be said with such certainty about the brothers and sisters whom we hurt. Although Jesus tells us to
forgive seventy times seven times, the human spirit is not so patient. The hurts sometimes take a long time to heal. If no repentance is observed, the one who has been hurt might feel less inclined to forgive and forgive and forgive.
Our Mother Earth is also finding it difficult to forgive the sins of our long history of abuse and depredation. It takes generations to restore damaged ecosystems, reduce greenhouse gases, and reintroduce
biodiversity. But we need to begin our “ecological conversion” now. Echoing Patriarch Bartholomew, Pope Francis says that we must repent of the ways we have harmed the planet, acknowledging our sins against creation. And this must be followed by a seismic change in our harmful lifestyle.
How have I offended God, injured other people, or harmed Mother Earth today? Am I willing to acknowledge my failings and sincerely avoid repeating
this hurtful behaviour? How does the forgiveness of sins play out in my life?
Reflections by Peter Knox SJ
