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January 4, 2021“Repent! The Kingdom of God is at Hand.”
As we bid farewell to another Advent and Christmas season, in today’s Gospel we see Jesus’ healing power at work and hear him call his followers to “Repent! The Kingdom of God is at hand.” What do these words that Jesus spoke to the Galileans some two thousand years ago mean to Christian people today as we bid 2020 – which will be forever known as the year from hell – farewell? A lot of people these days are complaining they have “COVID fatigue.” I think this means that we are tired of dealing with all the restrictions that are being placed upon us including the demands to be vigilant about wearing masks, and social distancing, and constantly washing our hands – those pesky practical and symbolic gestures that keep us safe and ask us to put the needs of others before our own. Truth be told, trying not to let our guard down is exhausting, and we all want our freedom of activity and movement back.
It occurs to me that we Christians should know something about being vigilant from the spiritual discipline of repenting, from turning away from sin and being faithful to the Gospel. I don’t know about you, but I fear that on occasion, I may have exhibited some “REPENT fatigue.” That is, I have lacked the vigilance needed to make repentance and conversion of heart a priority each and every day. A careful read of the Gospel points out just how problematic “REPENT fatigue” really is because in this passage, Jesus links repenting to both to his healing power and the coming of the Kingdom.
I am deeply grateful for the coming of a vaccine and its healing power. I pray it will put an end to the misery, suffering and death wrought by this cruel unseen enemy. However, as great as being free from the coronavirus will be, it does not offer the kind of freedom that can only be found in God. Today’s Gospel reminds me that “REPENT fatigue,” has no place in the Christian life for if we lack vigilance, if we fail to turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel, we will not find our freedom in God. We have made a decision that cuts off our access to Jesus’ healing power we see in the Gospel today, and we have opted out of being able to participate in bringing about the Kingdom of God… the Beautiful City where justice and peace prevail, and God’s peace and hope is proclaimed. Like masks and social distancing, being vigilant about the spiritual practice of repenting, of turning away from sin and being open to conversion, seems a small price to pay compared to the gifts received. I beg you, please God, take away all our fatigues and lead us to your Light.
