'Sorry' is easiest to say

It is possible for a person to know he is wrong and be sorry without really making up his mind to change. Some people think that repentance just means being sorry - if they just admit they were wrong and say they are sorry, everything is forgiven.

But repentance is a decision to change. Why is this important? We can never please God until we develop a proper state of mind. Jesus devoted his public ministry to preach about the nearness of the kingdom of God and to invite people to become his disciples. His lifestyle was guided completely by God's will and he challenged his listeners to accept God's will in their lives by rejecting sin and being faithful to his teaching.

We can make a real difference to others and ourselves by listening attentively to the word of God, the true fountain of life, and by living according to its message of hope and life. Christians believe that God is the sole author of life and that they draw life in all its fullness from God in and through his Son, Jesus Christ.

Jesus challenges us to turn away from the darkness of sin so that we can live in the light of God's loving presence. Central to repentance is genuine sorrow for our sins. What is the light of Christ? The light of Christ is a guiding light. We feel secure in the light of Christ as it guides us through life. The light of Christ is the teaching of Christ that motivates us to live in imitation of Christ. The light of Christ is God sharing his life and love with us.

The Samaritan woman whom Jesus met at the well was seeking life and truth. Yet she was speaking to the Life and the Truth. Jesus offered to make a real difference in her life as she listened attentively to his words.

When we celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation sincerely by confessing our sins and being sorry for them, we demonstrate that we are humble and repentant. We express sorrow for our sins, knowing that God forgives as we are absolved from our sins.

Repentance is central to our lives as Jesus's disciples. Lord God, teach us to be repentant. Help us always, through repentance, to avoid sin and be faithful to your Son's teaching.