Repentance

Recently I publicly discussed my need for repentance and conversion. I would like to unpack that a bit so people can see what I, as an Episcopalian Christian mean by this act.  Repentence and conversion, I think, are acts that are alien to our human nature, and seem to me to be some what forgotten or perhaps downplayed in these times.

First of all, in my tradition, we all repent, and often for our many sins, especially me, *I* do, for my sins.

Repentance is taking personal responsibility and owning the mistake. No blaming, no "Devil  made me do it", accept that we are flawed and face it. I feel that to get lost in the blame game gets us away from the Gospel admonition to reviewing the log in our own eyes. Conversion is changing your life and healing the wrong.

Here is how our Confession goes, kneeling in the presence of a Priest of the Church:
"I confess to Almighty God, to His Church, and to you, that I have sinned by my own fault in thought, word, and deed, in things done and left undone; especially__________."

No half statements here, though generally private, penance might need to be as open as the sin was. In my case, I shall donate that item mentioned in my last post to charity, giving it away.

That's how it looks to me, no long term grovelling. Face up to the flaw, own it, ask forgiveness, recieve it and fix the error as best we can. I believe that whatever you call it, true repentance requires personal accountability and restorative action.

Comments

[Rachel]

I know that some people view confession and repentance as a sort of medieval throwback, especially in these days of 'anything we do is alright with God' theology.

But I have to say, for me, both formal confession with a priest, and the process of repenting has been incredibly freeing and a great gift. What joy it is to lay your sins on God's doorstep and then walk away knowing you are forgiven.

What joy and love the experience is when you feel the burden lifted from your heart.

Blessings to you, my friend. It is a generous thing to share this process with people.