1 John 3:22-4:6;
Psalm 2:7-8. 10- 11;
Matthew 4:12- 17.23-25 Full Readings
Repent, and Believe the Gospel
Brethren, the Celebration of Christmas Octave and Epiphany is over. Jesus being made publicly known marked by the coming of Magi, and John having testified him to be mightier than him, who baptises with the fire and Holy Spirit, today we start reflecting on the mission of Jesus. The mission and content of Jesus' preaching is to bring the Kingdom of God here on earth. This is the good news for us and in this kingdom, everyone (both Gentiles and Jews) is invited and saved from every kind of evil, sin, illness and all that is contrary to the will of God as we see in the Gospel today. However, this requires our response: our response is to repent and believe in the Gospel. The Gospel here is Jesus and the bringer of the Gospel is Jesus. Therefore, we must repent and believe in Jesus so that we may be able to dwell in the kingdom of God.
The "good news" brings peace, hope, truth, promise, immortality, and salvation. Jesus takes up John's message of repentance and calls his hearers to believe in the good news he has come to deliver. As we have seen, the good news that Jesus brings is the Kingdom of God, which is justice and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14: 17). It is the good news of peace - the Lord comes to reconcile and restore us to friendship with God. The good news of hope - the Lord comes to dwell with us and to give us a home with him in his heavenly kingdom. The good news of truth - the Lord Jesus sets us free from the lies and deception of Satan and opens our mind to understand the truth and revelation of God's word (John 8:32). The good news of promise - Jesus fulfills the promise of God to reward those who seek him with the treasure of heaven. The good news of immortality - Jesus overcomes sin and death for us in order to raise our lowly bodies to be like his glorious body which will never die again. And the good news of salvation - the Lord Jesus delivers us from every fear, every sin, and every obstacle that would keep us from entering his everlasting kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy.
The Gospel demands a response of faith and obedience to God's gift of salvation. In announcing the good news, Jesus makes two demands: repent and believe! Repentance requires a change of course - a turning away from sin and disobedience and a turning towards the Lord with faith and submission to his word of truth and righteousness (right living according to God's truth and moral goodness). The Holy Spirit gives us a repentant heart, a true sorrow and hatred for sin and its bad consequences (the wages of sin is death - Romans 6:23), and a firm resolution to avoid whatever would lead us into sin. The Holy Spirit gives us grace to see our sin for what it is - rebellion and a rejection of the love of God. God's grace helps us to turn away from all that would keep us from his love.
John the Baptist preached, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” (Matthew 3:2), and Matthew the Evangelist recorded Jesus speaking identical words as he began his public ministry. The message couldn’t be clearer then—or now. Have politics, pandemics, materialism, secularism, or any other cultural influences zapped your joy and drained your hope? Repent. Ours is an almighty God. We rest in his loving care. Has complacency or acedia hardened your heart? Repent. Muster your willpower, ask for God’s grace, and get back on track. Has frequent unconfessed sin robbed you of peace? Repent. Our Lord died to forgive and redeem us. All we need to do is repent. As often as we are willing to humble ourselves and repent, Jesus will be there waiting for us in the confessional with hands outstretched, ready to absolve us.
Let us Pray
Lord Jesus, your ways are life and light! Let your word penetrate my heart and transform my mind that I may see your power and glory. Help me to choose your ways, to follow the Gospel and to do what is pleasing to you so that now and always, I may dwell in your kingdom. Amen
Be blessed
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