Reflection
Today’s gospel by Matthew leaves no doubt that Jesus is serious about repentance. This kind of story led me to buy the latest edition (2024) of the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible. In the footnotes there, I learned both geography and words to the wise: Chorazin … Bethsaida are two cities “within five miles of Jesus’ home in Capernaum, and both are unresponsive to his ministry. Privileged by Jesus’ presence and works, they BEAR GREATER GUILT for rejecting him than the Gentile cities of Tyre and Sidon, north of Palestine on the coast of Phoenicia.”
Even in the secular world, how often do we see judges in our country delivering harsher sentences just because a defendant did not express enough remorse?
Yes, when we don’t repent, especially when we should have known better, it looks like we are subject to harsh punishment.
So, how difficult is it to repent? In a seminar I facilitated years ago, we discussed how best to apologize to someone. The meaty solution went something like this:
- State the offense objectively. State the offense with no excuses and only your responsibility. “All the people at the meeting interpreted my joke as an insult to you.”
- Acknowledge feelings. Express regret and empathy with no excuses. “I wish I could take it back because I am sure you felt not only disrespected but deeply upset.”
- Make amends. Offer to make amends and promise reform. “I apologize for my behavior. I know I broke your trust, and I want to fix it. How can I make this right for you, and what can I do to ensure this doesn’t happen again?”
- Express regret and a hope for a brighter future. Express sorrow. “You had every right to be upset, and I apologize. I am committed to learning from this.”
Looking at a common version of the Act of Contrition, it’s easy to see all the ingredients of a meaty apology.
“My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against You whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend, with Your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In His name, my God, have mercy. Amen.”
Which brings us back to the word “repent.” Here’s the deal: Yes, we should have known better, and we are asked to turn away from sin. We need to commit to amending our lives.
And let’s not forget that repentance should involve penance, which can take many forms. Not of course “sackcloth and ashes” with which the citizens of Tyre and Sidon might have chosen (had they been smart), but in the form of realistic options, e.g., honoring the penance the priest administers in the confessional (of course), paying back money stolen, praying for self and others, or opting for a more humble life in order to better serve God and our neighbors.
Let’s ask ourselves. Is our repentance meaty?
