"'The beginning of salvation is to condemn one's self' (Evagirus). Repentance marks the starting point of our journey. The Greek term metanoia, as we have noted (p.17), signifies primarily a 'change of mind'. Correctly understood, repentance is not negative, but positive. It means, not self-piety or remorse, but conversion, the re-centering of our whole life upon the Trinity. It is to look, not backward with regret, but forward with hope - not downwards at our own shortcomings, but upwards at God's love. It is to see, not what we have failed to be, but what by divine grace we can now become; and it is to act upon what we see. To repent it to open our lives to to the light. In this sense, repentance is not just a single act, an initial step, but a continuing state, an attitude of heart and will that needs to be ceaselessly renewed up to the end of life. In the words of St. Isaias of Sketis, 'God requires us to go on repenting until our last breath.' 'This life has given you for repentance' says St. Isaac the Syrian. "Do not waste it on other things.'"
- The Orthodox Way, Kallistos Ware
A very thoughtful post TB. It is a very important message that many people don't follow. Looking back with regret and down on our shortcomings keeps us trapped and doesn't serve us or our journey in life.
ReplyDeleteThank you Rain. To be completely honest, my mind was blown when I read this. I am re-reading this section again and again. It is certainly not the way I was taught to look at such things.
DeleteExcellent thoughts.
ReplyDeleteThey really are Kelly. They completely change the idea of how one should look at a repentance (yes, there is the flip side of actually repenting as well, but I can seldom think that I have told/taught we should then look upwards. More of "continue to dwell on your ex-sin" sort of thing.
DeleteGo on repenting our whole lives. Not just me then. Thanks for this post, TB. God bless you all.
ReplyDeleteLinda, you are welcome and yes and no I guess. There is, of course, the repentance of turning to Christ, but then there is also the daily practice of repentance. Something we all need to do a lot more.
DeleteNot negative, but positive. I never thought of it that way.
ReplyDeleteBob, it struck me the same way. I had never thought of it that way either.
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