the miracles of repentance
"Why do the scribes claim that Elijah must come first?" —Matthew 17:10
There are only twelve more repenting days before Christmas. Of the many things we need to do before Christmas, repenting should be first on the list. However, repentance is difficult or even humanly impossible. Sin blinds us to sin (see 1 Jn 2:11). It hardens and paralyzes us, thus cutting us off from repentance. Therefore, we must turn to the Lord and ask Him to do the miracle of repentance in our lives so that we will not be trapped in our sins.
When we pray for the grace of repentance, the Holy Spirit will come to convict us of our sins (Jn 16:8). He may do this by bringing into our lives people like Elijah and John the Baptizer. The Spirit will give the prophets and prophetesses in our lives piercing, burning words for us (see Heb 4:12; Sir 48:1; Mt 10:19-20). These words will hurt, because the truth hurts. Then, as Ahab, Jezebel, Herod, and Herodias did, we will be tempted to do away with these prophets so as to rid ourselves of their prophecies. If we do this, however, we will deprive ourselves of repentance, Christmas, Christ, and life. We will live and die in our sins (Jn 8:21, 24).
Accept the miracles of repentance, prophecy, and Christmas. Go to Confession today!
Prayer: Father, send anyone You choose to tell me what I need to hear. Lead me to Confession.
Promise: "You are destined, it is written, in time to come to put an end to wrath before the day of the Lord, to turn back the hearts of fathers toward their sons, and to reestablish the tribes of Jacob. Blessed is he who shall have seen you before he dies." —Sir 48:10-11
Praise: Lucy's mother opposed her vow of virginity in service of Jesus. Jesus healed her mother's physical condition and opened her heart to her daughter's vocation.
Reference: (For related teaching, order our leaflet, Seek Prophecy.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, June 1, 1997
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 9, 1997