Third Sunday after Pentecost – 10th June 2018

Repent and believe the Good News

It is interesting that Jesus links repentance with believing the Good News. We may question whether Christianity has been consistent in linking the two, and whether we have done so in our own thought and practice.

If the two are not linked there are dangers of two extremes. On the one hand, there can be stress on fear, fire, and brimstone, and seeing religion as some sort of grim struggle
to get to God. On the other hand, there is the danger of making it all too cosy and easy if we only focus on the Good News.

Jesus urges us to a balanced approach. Repent: turn away from pride, selfishness, closed minds that have everything boxed up, attitudes that close us off from people. And the purpose of this repentance? That we might believe and proclaim the Good News of God’s love, God’s presence, and God’s forgiveness.

None of us can say we have no need of repentance. None of us can say that our present belief in God’s presence with us is sufficient.

Reflections for Sundays
God Is With Us
Michael Morwood MSC