This Sunday following the Feast of Theophany comes to us from the Gospel of Saint Matthew 4: 12-17.
This gospel tells us how the beginning of Jesus’s work in Galilee was like a great light that began to shine on all. The last words in this gospel call for repentance as the way of preparing to see Christ’s light. “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
True repentance means a deliberate and decisive resolve to change course and to head in a new direction. Repentance is God’s offer for a fresh start, but we must turn towards Him and seek forgiveness, thus freeing us from the many sins that enslave us. We are exhorted to turn our eyes and attention from ourselves and towards Jesus and the Kingdom of Heaven. We are entreated to turn away from our sins because the Kingdom is near!
O Christ, the true light who illumines and sanctifies every person who comes into the world, let the light of your face shine upon us so that we may see Your unapproachable light; and direct our steps according to Your commandments, by the intercessions of Your Most Holy Pure Mother and of all the saints. Amen.
