Friday, March 4, 2016

Reading: Psalm 32

Psalm 32:5  “Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and you forgave the guilt of my sin.”

            The Greek word for repentance used in the Christian writings is metanoia,  which means "beyond mind" or, "go beyond the mind that you have".  Repentance is not simply a change of mind or a change in the way one thinks.  It is a turning around, a change of heart, and an expanding, a leaving-behind.  To early Christians the heart was the place where the human mind, body, and spirit come together, and thus a change of heart meant a radical (from Latin radix, at the root!), a radical change of life and action and direction.  Repentance is a life-threatening act.  Repentance is a life-giving act.

O loving God, may we turn around where we have gone astray.  Lead us to newness of heart.  Amen

• Pray the Orthodox Jesus Prayer this day: Lord Jesus Christ, son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Pray to forgive someone who has wronged you.