Baruch 1:15-22
Psalm 79:1-5, 8-9
Luke 10:13-16
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REPENT!
"We, with our kings and rulers and priests and prophets, and with our fathers, have sinned in the Lord's sight and disobeyed Him." —Baruch 1:16-18
Although Jesus was free from sin (Heb 4:15), He began His public ministry by receiving St. John’s baptism of repentance (see Mk 1:4, 9). Jesus’ initial and foundational message was: “Repent, and believe in the gospel” (Mk 1:15, RSV-CE). Jesus expected His miracles to lead people to repent. He declared: “It will go ill with you, Chorazin! And just as ill with you, Bethsaida! If the miracles worked in your midst had occurred in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have reformed in sackcloth and ashes” (Lk 10:13). Jesus told parables about the heavenly joy which comes from repentance (Lk 15:7, 10). Jesus lived and died calling us to repentance. At the first Christian Pentecost, the Church, on its birthday, embraced the message of repentance. When Peter was asked: “What are we to do?” (Acts 2:37), he answered: “Repent, and be baptized” (Acts 2:38, RSV-CE).
May we likewise grasp the basic message of Christ. May we repent, confess our sins, and accept Jesus as our Savior and Lord. May we also be ministers of reconciliation and invite others to repent (2 Cor 5:18; see also Mt 7:5). May we share in the joy of heaven over one sinner who repents (Lk 15:7). May the blood Jesus shed and the death Jesus died to free us from our sins not be “in vain” (1 Cor 15:2). Let us be a people of repentance, salvation, freedom, reconciliation, joy, and love.
Prayer: Father, baptize me, immerse me in repentance.
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: Just hearing a friend mention her desire to receive the Sacrament of Penance was enough to inspire Diane to do the same.
(For a related teaching on The Secret of Confession, view, download or order our leaflet on our website.)
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"In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from October 1, 2025, through November 30, 2025. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio April 2, 2025"
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.
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