This article was written as a Lenten reflection by Abbot Joseph of the St. Gregory Palamas Monastery in Hayesville, Ohio.
Repentance is the one thing needful, it is the resurrection of our fallen life before the Resurrection, and it is the joy of the angels and the spark within us that gives rise to the Light of Christ. What joy there is when the whole Church is actively and intentionally repenting and making that great journey from “death to life.”
There are so many things in this life over which we have no control. There are so many world problems, economic uncertainties, and historic consequences to mankind’s sinful and passionate use of life and all of the gifts of God’s creation. However there is something over which we can exercise our will, and there is a small but important area over which we have freedom. The evil one would have us think that we have no hope, no refuge and no way out of the snares and fog of the fallen world. Because he is a liar and deceiver from the beginning, he would obscure and hide from us the straight and clear path into the paradise that God intended for us from the very foundation of the world. This path begins with repentance. If we are to see the light in the darkness and receive the hope that does not fail, we will trust the invitation that our Savior offers to us through his Holy Church. There is hope, and the hope that God plants in the hearts of the saints is, in a sense, contagious and catching. Let us pray that we are kept in the company of the saints who point the way that leads to life and hope, and that they warm and encourage us by their prayers.
More than ever our world needs men and women who have the courage to live without hypocrisy. The courage to repent is courage to live in such a state of freedom and peace. The light of Christ begins as a spark in the heart of the one who says, “Now will I arise and go to my Father and say ‘Father I have sinned against heaven and earth and I am no longer fit to be your son, receive me as a hired servant.” That spark is fanned into a brilliant light in those who apply their whole soul and mind and strength to repentance.
In the life of St. Nephon the ascetic bishop we read that one day a disciple asked him about repentance. The holy bishop replied, “Believe me, brother, God who is good will not judge the Christian because he sinned…” The disciple was very surprised and asked if sinners would be judged. The bishop (St. Nephon) replied, “There is definitely a judgment. God does not judge the Christian because he sins, but because he does not repent. Because for one to sin and to repent is human, while not to repent is a trait of the devil and his demons. Since we do not live continually in repentance, that is why we will be judged.”
Great Lent is a school of repentance for the Orthodox Christian. The beautiful services, the fasting, and the whole complex of spiritual effort give the Christian the support and courage to make a good repentance.
What is repentance? It is that change of mind and heart that is so complete that I see my sins; I leave them and return to God. Repentance is that change of mind that is so real that my behavior is actually changed.
After the Baptism of the Lord Jesus Christ we read of the first words of Jesus’ preaching: “the time is fulfilled, the Kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:14).
The preaching of St. John the Forerunner was a preaching of repentance. In the third chapter of the Gospel according to St. Luke, we read: “Bear fruits that befit repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father, for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire” (Luke 3:8).
The Forerunner goes on to give very clear and specific direction about the reality of repentance: “…and the multitudes asked him, ‘what then shall we do?’ and he answered them, ‘He who has two coats, let him share with him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.’ Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and said to him, ‘Teacher what shall we do?’ And he said to them, ‘Collect no more than is appointed you.’ Soldiers asked him ‘and what shall we do?’ and he said to them, ‘Rob no one by violence or by false accusation, and be content with your wages’.”
This is the evidence of a mind and heart turned to the true and living God; this is the repentance to which we are called in these latter days. Repentance is the very action by which we participate in the renewal of the cosmos. Repentance is the means by which God provides for our purification, so that with “faces unashamed and eyes illumined,” we with all the righteous ones can partake of the good things that “God has prepared for those who love him.” It is repentance that prepares us for Life itself.
There is little difference in the seriousness of the sin of St. Peter and Judas. St. Peter denied our Lord, Judas betrayed him. The big difference is that St. Peter repented, he wept, he returned to the Master. Judas was unable to repent, he returned to the Jews who plotted against the Master. In anger he threw down the money in his attempt to make reparation, and in anger and regret he hung himself. The critical difference between the two is that one repented and the other continued to do things his way.
The sad fact is that there are many people in the world who are carrying burdens too heavy and hard to bear. Many would prefer to bear the crushing load of guilt rather than confess and free themselves from the guilt and the fear that someone might discover the truth. Truly God already knows all things, and the opportunity to confess frees us in such a way that we can make a new beginning.
It has been my joy in a number of situations to know people who although that were quite elderly and had lived all of their life in the Church, never tired of the spiritual effort. Each year in the Great Fast they greeted the fast with joy, hope and enthusiasm. I remember one 80-something that lived each year hoping that she would live to see another Great Lent because in the fast another chance is given to cleanse and be purified. In the Great Fast we have another opportunity to live a life without hypocrisy.
Let us never be discouraged. St. Amphilochios tells us of a brother who sinned every day and everyday he went to the Church and bowed before the Icon of the Savior and groaned and confessed his sin and everyday he received forgiveness. After many years the devil, the enemy of man, was beside himself with fury and appeared in the Church as the brother was confessing his sin and spoke to the icon of the Savior these words “What will become of the two of us, Jesus Christ? Your sympathy for this sinner defeats me and takes the ground I have gained, since You keep accepting this dissolute man and prodigal, who daily mocks You and scorns Your authority. Indeed, why is it that You do not burn him up, but rather, tolerate and put up with him?…Is it because one day You intend to condemn all of the adulterers and the dissolute, and You will destroy all sinners?
“Actually, You are not a just Judge. But by whim Your power is sometimes applied leniently and overlooks things. So, while I was cast from the heavens down to the abyss for a little breach of pride, to this fellow here, even though an immoral man and a prodigal, You calmly show Your sympathy, just because he throws himself down in front of Your Icon. . . Having said this and many other things the devil fell silent. A voice was heard in response, coming forth from the Divine sanctuary, saying the following: “O all-cunning and ruinous dragon, are you yet not satisfied with your evil and destructive desire to gobble up the world? Now you even have the nerve to try to do away with this man, who has come with contrition to entreat the mercy of My compassion – to devour him, too? Can you offer up enough sins that, by them, you can tilt the balance of justice against the precious blood which I shed on the Cross for this man? Behold My murder and death, which I endured for the forgiveness of his sins. .. Furthermore I was crucified for sinners. Therefore I will accept him immediately and save his soul, since he did not lose hope in his hard toil for salvation.” At that moment the repentant brother fell before the Icon and he surrendered his spirit to the Lord. From this incident, my brothers let us learn of the limitless compassion of God and of His love of man – what a good Master we have! – that we might never again be disheartened by our sins, but rather look after our salvation with zeal.
May God help us to begin the fast with joyful zeal, make honest and clear confession in this time of the Great Lent, and may the unburdening our hearts and minds gives us the energy and determination to do the good that we intend.
