Repentance: Fruit of remembrance of God's mercy

Jesus: God’s Mercy. G. K. Chesterton tells the story of a monk who, while walking through the woods, chances upon a travelling puppeteer, whose stage is his wagon. Delighted to hear that the monk is keen on watching his presentation in the next town, the puppeteer graciously offers to stage his puppet show for the monk right there in the middle of the woods. With deft hands the puppeteer, now atop his wagon, brings life to his life-size puppets.

The play begins with a dashing prince drinking to health and friendship with his comrade. As they hear news that the beautiful princess has been abducted by an ogre, off they go to rescue her. Together they beat up the ogre and free the princess, who dashes off with her prince.

“Bravo,” the monk excitedly applauds. But then the puppeteer confesses to his new friend that he leads a very lonely life, for although he loves his puppets dearly, after every performance they lie lifeless and cannot reciprocate his love. The monk falls on his knees and prays ardently for the puppeteer. Lo and behold, the puppets begin to stir and rise on their own. Puppeteer and monk watch in amazement as the puppets perform the play by themselves.

However, things go awry. The prince and his comrade drink way too much. Now drunk, his friend confesses that he too had always been in love with the princess. Feeling betrayed, the prince challenges his friend to a duel. As they beat up each other they realize the princess’ life is in danger; so off they go to rescue her. But they arrive late. By then, the ogre is molesting the princess.

The puppeteer cries out, “Enough, enough!” But his pleadings go unheeded as his puppets wreck havoc upon themselves. Frantic and desperate, the puppeteer enters the stage and tries to untangle to the mess created by his puppets.

Our human history has been a story of self-made conflicts and chaos, self-inflicted wounds and woes. On the other hand the story of our faith is the story of God’s merciful intervention and redemption, which climax in the crib and cross of the God made man. Jesus is God’s Word of Mercy to the world.

Repentance and God’s Mercy. The theme for this Second Sunday of Advent is repentance, “John went throughout the whole region of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” If our theme today revolves around repentance, why begin with a reflection on God’s mercy, on Jesus’ incarnation, the expression of God’s mercy?

This is because repentance cannot be imposed; a contrite spirit cannot be forced. Repentance can only be evoked. Sorrow for one’s sins can only be stirred up by a profound sense of God’s love and mercy. The experience of the utterly Holy elicits shames over one’s petty selfishness. The awareness of God’s unconditional love prompts recognition of one’s sinfulness, a desire for repentance and the need for God’s forgiveness.

Hence, the story of Chesterton about God’s merciful love towards us. Rather than view the chaos we have created for ourselves from the heavens, God chooses to enter the stage of human history. Rather than instruct us how to unshackle ourselves from the knots of sin we have gotten into, God invests Himself by becoming one of us.  

The experience of God’s profound and personal love for each of us stirs us to turn away from sin and to turn wholly to God.

Remembering God’s Mercy. In our First Reading Today, Baruch assures the Israelites that God will deliver them. Dispossessed of their land, deported to and enslaved in Babylon, the Israelites hold on to God’s promises proclaimed by Baruch: “Up, Jerusalem! . . . look to the east and see your children gathered from the east and the west at the word of the Holy One, rejoicing that they are remembered by God.” As their captors led them away, Baruch assures them that God will gather them and lead them home.

And so this Advent season, let us, like the Israelites, recall the great things the Lord has done for us, despite our unworthiness. Let us remember the many mercies the Lord has shown us, despite our unfaithfulness. Let us contemplate the infinite love God has shown us by becoming one of us in Jesus. We need to constantly bear in mind God’s goodness and mercy towards us. For the grace to remember God’s steadfast kindness is the precondition for authentic contrition. The grace to truly remember God’s boundless mercy is the precondition for genuine repentance.

Fr. Manoling Francisco, SJ is a prolific composer of liturgical music and serves on the faculty of the Loyola School of Theology. For feedback on this column, e-mail [email protected]