Repent... “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven has come near.” Matthew 4:17 Repent... Wait… I thought we were in the season of Epiphany. Doesn’t the word repent belong in Lent? Why are we hearing these words during the season of Epiphany? Epiphany is a season of light and revelation. Matthew, in his gospel, wants us to see Jesus as the fulfilment of scripture. He wants us to know that Jesus is the “great light” shining on a people who have been walking in deep darkness. But knowledge alone is not enough…hence the call to action. Jesus words echo those of John the Baptist: “repent, the kingdom is coming.” In Jesus proclamation we hear not only that the Kingdom is close at hand... but that the King has arrived. The challenge remains that when God's kingdom breaks in, God's people often fail to recognize it. Jesus’ call to repent is one to turn away from the systems of this world... systems that focus on power and might and domination... The kingdoms of this world demand that the weak serve the powerful, that the poor bow to the whims of the rich. This was true as our Lord called the first disciples and it is just as true today. Jesus comes to a people who know all about the powerful kingdoms of their world. Like us, they are focused on earthly models of kingdoms and fail to see the radical nature of God's Kingdom breaking in in their midst. Will they (will we) continue to walk in darkness, or will we turn towards the light of God’s inbreaking kingdom? And so the call to repent…to turn away from the kingdom systems of this world, and to turn towards a kingdom based on God's just rule. One of mercy and justice, a kingdom of grace and love. A kingdom of Light, that shines in the darkness…even today. Blessings,
Matthew+ Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP p. 215) | 
