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Friday, October 3, 1997

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Baruch 1:15-22
Psalm 79
Luke 10:13-16

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the miracle of repentance

"If the miracles worked in your midst had occurred in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have reformed in sackcloth and ashes." —Luke 10:13

If we love God and people, we will hate sin because sin offends God and hurts people. Therefore, those in love are preoccupied with repentance, which puts a stop to sin. Thus, "there will likewise be more joy in heaven over one repentant sinner than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need to repent" (Lk 15:7).

Jesus works in many ways to lead us to repentance. For instance, when He does miracles, He expects whole cities to repent (Lk 10:13ff; Mt 11:23). The cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum refused to repent despite the many miracles Jesus had done in their cities. After the miracles of the first Christian Pentecost (Acts 2:41), however, three thousand people repented (see Acts 2:38). After the miraculous healing of the man lame from birth, the number of repentant men reached five thousand (Acts 4:4). After seeing the Lord's miracles, a Samaritan town (Acts 8:7ff) and the towns of Lydda, Sharon, and Joppa repented (Acts 9:35, 42).

We all have seen the Lord do miracles in our lives. In the name of Jesus (see Mk 16:17-18), we can even do miracles in the lives of others. Therefore, we must repent and lead others to do the same.

Prayer:  Father, may I do greater miracles (see Jn 14:12) and see even greater repentance than that which occurred at the first Christian Pentecost.

Promise:  "He who hears you, hears Me. He who rejects you, rejects Me. And he who rejects Me, rejects Him Who sent Me." —Lk 10:16

Praise:  St. Luke's parish held a Life in the Spirit Seminar. One of the immediate fruits of the Spirit was deep repentance, as evidenced by the dramatic length of the Confession lines.

Reference:  (For related teaching, order our leaflet, The Secret of Confession.)

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, March 22, 1997


Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, March 26, 1997