Readings: Is 11:1-10. Rom 15:4-9. Mt 3:1-12
Sometimes, we’re challenged to change radically. This may be through specific circumstances such as chance encounters with some people or information. It could be an encounter with grief or spiritual enlightenment. We decide to change and announce our desire to do so. We intend to become more loving, or more temperate, or more caring, or better listeners, or more faithful to our spouses, or better personal managers. And so on and forth.
All these are great aspirations. But the statement of intention is not enough in itself. We must go further and demonstrate these intentions through our consistent efforts in word and deed. Our actions ought to be aligned with our intentions. And that matters a lot: that we do our very best in line with our stated good intentions.
May Jesus Christ grant us the grace to bear numerous fruits of repentance.