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Explanation for:
Matthew
4
:
17
From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say: Do penance, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
13
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"Jerome of Stridon","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88dcd3432c6dd41375498_Jerome%20of%20Stridon.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Following the trial of John the Baptist, Christ Himself commenced His preaching, marking the transition from the Law to the Gospel. By proclaiming the same message as John, the Savior demonstrates that He is the Son of the same God whom John served as a prophet."},{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"When is this, Othole? It is from the moment John was imprisoned. Why did Christ not preach to the people earlier? Why did He rely on John when His own miraculous works bore witness to Him? On one side, it was to reveal His glory, similar to the Father who sends prophets; as Zacharias proclaimed, \\"Thou also art a prophet of the Most High\\" (Luke 1:76). On the other side, it ensured that the brazen Jews would have no justification for their disbelief. Christ Himself highlighted this when He said, “John came neither eating nor drinking, and they said, ‘He has demons.’ And when the Son of Man came eating and drinking, they said, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her children” (Matthew 11:18-19). Furthermore, it was essential for someone other than Christ to announce Him beforehand. If, despite numerous powerful signs and testimonies, they claimed, “You bear witness to Yourself; Your witness is not true” (John 8:13), imagine the accusations if there had been no prior testimony from John and Christ had introduced Himself first. Therefore, Christ did not preach until John was imprisoned, nor did He perform miracles beforehand, wishing to avoid sowing discord among the people. Similarly, John refrained from performing signs, aiming to direct followers to Christ through the greatness of His miracles. After witnessing so many significant wonders, if John's disciples were jealous of Jesus, and if many esteemed John more than Him as the Messiah, what could have been their reaction had the situation been reversed? This is why Matthew demonstrates that Christ initiated His preaching right at the outset, proclaiming the same messages as John, though He refrained from speaking of Himself. It was prudent for this teaching to be received while they were yet unfamiliar with His true nature. Thus, in the early stages of His sermon, Christ did not present anything harsh or mournful, unlike John. While John mentioned the axe, the root, the winnowing fork, and the unquenchable fire (Matthew 3:10, 12), Christ commenced His message with the joyous proclamation of the heavenly kingdom prepared for those willing to listen."},{"author-name":"Basil the Great","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c889927158e4af30595484_Basil%20the%20Great.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Those who have faith in the Lord must, as a first step, turn away from their sins, following the teachings of John and our Lord Jesus Christ. Those who fail to repent will face greater condemnation than those who were judged prior to the good news of salvation. Jesus initiated His ministry by proclaiming, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand’ (Matthew 4:17). He then expressed His disapproval of the people in the towns, which had witnessed His many miracles, for their refusal to repent. Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For had the miracles performed among you occurred in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented in sackcloth and ashes long ago. Therefore, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you (Matthew 11:20-23; Luke 10:13-15)."},{"author-name":"Marcus the Ascetic","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c894db4cf63c9754af102d_Marcus%20the%20Ascetic.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Repentance, in my understanding, transcends mere time or any specific actions; it manifests through the observance of Christ's commandments, measured by the degree of that observance. \\n\\nWe are all heirs of Adam, born into his transgression, which is why we are all subject to God's decree of eternal death, and we find no hope of salvation apart from Christ. Even the most virtuous among us can escape eternal death only through the intercession of Christ, who suffered crucifixion for all and redeemed humanity with His sacred blood. Thus, the Redeemer offers a singular imperative meant for everyone, which encompasses all other deeds, instructing His Apostles to proclaim: “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” Along with this, the Saviour imparted many individual commandments, from which the perfection of repentance is achieved, and He entrusted this fulfillment to us until our last breath, declaring: “If any man destroy his soul for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel, he shall save it unto eternal life.” Additionally, urging us to forsake everything, He included: even his own soul. Emphasizing the grave significance of His commandments, He warned: “If any man break one of these little commandments, he shall be called a fool in the kingdom of heaven.” Therefore, if Christ, as explained, commanded us to remain in a state of repentance unto death, then anyone who asserts that repentance can be entirely perfected before death contradicts this directive and denies the necessity of sacrificing the soul, violating all of Christ’s commandments. There is no conclusion to repentance until death, whether for the great or the small! True perfection in repentance has never been achieved—perfection that does not require continuous application, or that is already unattainable! As such, if we fail to fulfill it as we should, we must exercise it willingly, so we do not fall among those who consciously reject the commandment and face condemnation for it. Reflecting on the lives of all who have successfully completed their earthly journey since the dawn of creation, you will see that the sacrament of piety has been realized in those who have found favor with God through repentance. Has anyone faced condemnation? He was condemned for neglecting repentance. Has anyone found justification? He was justified through his commitment to repentance.\\n\\nOur Lord Jesus Christ, the Strength of God and the Wisdom of God, possessing divine knowledge, has cared for the salvation of all and established the law of liberty through various commands, highlighting one essential call for everyone, stating: “Repent” (Matthew 4:17). From this, we recognize that the multitude of commandments converges into one focus of repentance, which the Lord initially commanded His Apostles to communicate, saying: “Say unto them (i.e., to men), Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand,” not merely hinting at the imminent arrival of His kingdom to the world. The truth cannot be at odds with reality, as we see that both those who lived then and those who followed they remained unaffected by the universal end. He declared: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17), signifying that His message embodies the authority of the kingdom and the essence of repentance. If we do not embrace this understanding, we must question how it is that “the kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which the woman takes, hidden in three measures of flour, until all is leavened” (Matthew 13:33; Luke 13:21). Is this not conveying that the mind, recognizing the word of the Lord, incorporates it within a tripartite existence—body, spirit, and soul—as posited by the Apostle, weaving it into the subtleties of thought, akin to flour collected into one leaven of faith, awaiting to manifest the word that acts within it? Similarly, the Lord compared the word of truth to a mustard seed, small at first, yet when sown in the hearts of hearers, it grows into a mighty tree, a haven for the thoughts that approach (as per Scripture). This can indeed be true, as He deemed the Apostles pure because of the word (John 15:3) they heard, activating the inherent power of the word, resulting in their purity. For “the word of God is alive and effective” (Hebrews 4:12). Therefore, He reproached those who neglected this shared power, branding them as faithless, stating: “But if I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin: but now they are not guilty of their sin” (John 15:22). We do not express this as skeptics of the forthcoming Kingdom, which will undoubtedly arrive in its own time, but because the word of the Lord possesses within itself the same power of the Kingdom, serving for believers as “the hopeful announcement,” a pledge of the future inheritance, the beginning of eternal blessings, yet for the unfaithful and unrighteous, a grim indictment of iniquity. Therefore, He implores: “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”"},{"author-name":"Chromatius of Aquileia","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88a3df6d7a747a33b4f4a_Chromatius%20of%20Aquileia.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":5,"exegesis-text":"In His call for repentance, the Lord reaches out to His people, continuing the message once delivered through David, urging them to turn back to Him. He beckons them to listen, imploring, \\"Harden not your heart, as in preparation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness\\" (Psalms 94:8). In the same psalm, to urge sinners towards repentance and illustrate His compassion for them, He invites, \\"Come, let us worship, and let us prostrate ourselves; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. For He is our God\\" (Psalm 94:6-7). The call to repentance comes from the Lord, who assures His promise of forgiveness, declaring through Isaiah, \\"I, I Myself, blot out your offenses, and I will not remember your sins. Remember Me; you will recount your wrongdoings so that you may be justified\\" (Isaiah 43:25, 26). Therefore, the Lord rightly calls His people to repent, saying, \\"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand,\\" encouraging them to confess their sins and become worthy of this imminent kingdom. For it is impossible to accept the grace of the heavenly Father without being cleansed from all sin through the act of genuine repentance and the life-giving baptism of our Lord and Savior."},{"author-name":"Symeon the New Theologian","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c897eec143c131d21207b3_Symeon%20the%20New%20Theologian.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":10,"exegesis-text":"Repentance is a commendable act, yielding significant rewards. Our Lord Jesus Christ, who perceives all things, recognized this truth and proclaimed, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Would you like to understand that true salvation is unattainable without sincere repentance? This means a change of heart that encompasses both mind and spirit.\\n\\nThe Holy Scripture reminds us, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand’ (Matthew 4:17). If you desire this kingdom to become your own, then you must repent. No matter how many times you utter, ‘Thy kingdom come,’ if there is no repentance, that kingdom will remain distant.\\n\\nTo be vigilant over oneself entails a thorough self-examination, prompting us to inquire, ‘Is there a passion, whether great or small, that I carry without awareness?’ For as stated in the Divine Scriptures, anyone who harbors even a single passion cannot enter the kingdom of God. The holy Apostle James teaches us: he who observes the entire law yet stumbles in one aspect is guilty of all (James 2:10). Have I ever overlooked any commandment, or am I currently neglecting to uphold one? Christ our Lord warns, ‘If any man breaks one of these least commandments and instructs others to do likewise, he shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven’ (Matthew 5:19). \\n\\nAs one engages with the Divine Word, it is essential to reflect on oneself, using the Scriptures as a spiritual mirror to carefully assess one’s soul against its teachings. For instance, when hearing Christ’s declaration, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17), one should evaluate whether true repentance exists within them and whether they consistently maintain a penitent heart. Moreover, in the face of various challenges, one should monitor the state of their soul and discern its condition. When confronted with scorn or dishonor, for example, one can gauge whether they possess humility. Those who embody humility endure adversities with grace, remaining unmoved by such trials. A humble individual may feel a slight sting from offenses but does not allow this discomfort to undermine their spirit. If they fail to confront these feelings with joy and feel any sorrow from insult, they condemn themselves for this lapse. Upon retreating into solitude, they reflect and weep over their shortcomings, seeking God’s forgiveness as if they have squandered all their efforts."},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"At that moment, Jesus commenced His ministry and proclamation. With John in prison, Jesus began to announce His message, having waited for John to bear witness to Him and to prepare His path, similar to how servants make ready the arrival of their masters. Being one with the Father, the Lord appointed John as His prophet, just as the Father had sent prophets prior to John—indeed, they were messengers of both the Father and the Son. The proclamation was that the kingdom of heaven was near. Christ embodies the essence of a righteous life, which is synonymous with the kingdom of heaven. If one lives on earth in an angelic manner, does that not make him heavenly? Thus, the kingdom of heaven resides within each of us when we act as angels."},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"John was the one who announced the coming of the Savior. However, it was important for Christ to begin in this manner, illustrating that John served as His precursor and that He was not in opposition to him. It was essential for another to bear witness to Him prior to His arrival. Some assert that Christ merely echoed John’s teachings, such as calling for repentance and announcing that the kingdom of heaven is nearby. However, they argue that there is a significant distinction; John calls for repentance from specific sins, while Christ invites a transformation from the old life to the new. Mark serves as a supplementary witness, as he adds, and believe in the gospel. It is said that John referred to the kingdom of heaven as Christ, whereas Christ described the kingdom of heaven as the divine and angelic life (πολιτειαν) that He was to establish, as previously mentioned. Mark used the term kingdom of God instead of kingdom of heaven. It is evident that the kingdom of God is imminent to rule over believers, as the Son and Word maintains His kingship over unbelievers by nature. For those who willingly accept His sovereignty, He rules both by nature and by their consent."},{"author-name":"Nicephoros (Theotokis)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8958407451968d9c204fb_Nicephoros%20(Theotokis).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":18,"exegesis-text":"\\"From there,\\" he states; but from where does he refer? This was during the time John faced imprisonment. Yet, why from this specific moment? It was imperative for John, the Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptizer, to have first proclaimed and given witness to Christ. If even amid such affirmations from John the Pharisees, blinded by jealousy, rebuked Christ with, \\"Thou testifyest of Thyself, Thy testimony is not true\\" (John 8:13), what else would they assert if John, amidst numerous declarations, had not boldly declared, \\"Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world\\" (John 1:29)? This proclamation heralded the Son of God and the Savior of mankind. However, Jesus Christ did not preach repentance to John, who heralded the gospel, allowing John to fulfill his prophetic role first, thus preparing human hearts to receive the gospel message. \\n\\nAs John faced imprisonment and was condemned to die, he completed his mission, and the rightful prophecy and preaching reached their conclusion, since all prophets and the law prior to John had extolled the gospel. It was then that Jesus began to preach, declaring, \\"Repent, men, turn from sin and unbelief, and arise out of the depths of your iniquities.\\" Why did He announce, \\"The kingdom of heaven is at hand\\"? (Matthew 3:2) Before His Incarnation and the gospel proclamation, God's heavenly kingdom was distant from humanity, unattainable even by the righteous and holy. The saints under the law yearned to witness what the Apostles beheld and heard so they might attain His kingdom. The Lord said, \\"Many prophets and righteous people desire to see what you see and have not seen, and to hear what you hear and have not heard\\" (Matthew 13:17). They experienced these truths only in visions and representations, much like the Patriarch Abraham, who, when preparing to sacrifice Isaac, saw a ram entangled by its horns in the thicket (Gen. 22:13). This was a depiction of Jesus Christ suspended on the Cross. Abraham witnessed his son spared while a ram was offered, illustrating how the divine nature of Jesus remained unscathed during His Passion and sacrificial death. \\"Abraham your father rejoiced to see My day; he saw it and was glad\\" (John 8:56). \\n\\nWhen the only begotten Son of God, having taken on human form, manifested to the world and proclaimed salvation, the Kingdom of Heaven approached humanity. All who placed their faith in Him, were baptized, and followed His holy commandments became partakers and heirs of His kingdom. \\"Whoever believes,\\" the Savior declared, \\"and is baptized shall be saved; but whoever does not believe will be condemned\\" (Mark 16:16)."},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"From that moment on, after revealing His identity as the Messiah in Judea, the Lord journeyed to Galilee where He commenced His proclamation of the kingdom of the Messiah. The call to repentance mentioned aligns with the admonition in Matthew 3:2. However, the phrase \\"from that time\\" should not be interpreted too literally, suggesting that there had been no preaching prior; indeed, there had been, though it was significantly magnified since that point. Likewise, in Matthew 16:21, following Peter's declaration, when Jesus began to disclose to His disciples about His impending suffering and death, this does not imply that He had not previously informed them; He had mentioned it before, as seen in passages like Matthew 9:15 and John 2:19-22. Rather, this signifies that from that moment, He began to communicate these truths more frequently and with greater clarity."},{"author-name":"Ignatij (Briantchaninow)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ce37597540c9caa5df5_Ignatij%20(Briantchaninow).png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The primary commandment, bestowed by the Redeemer upon all of humanity, is the call to repentance. Jesus initiated His ministry with the declaration, \\"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.\\" This command encompasses, summarizes, and integrates all commandments.\\n\\nThe initial message from the Saviour to a fallen humanity was a summons to repentance, coupled with the promise of the kingdom of heaven for those who genuinely turn back. Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is imminent (Matthew 3:2; Matthew 4:17). Repentance extends a vital hand to those ensnared in the depths of sin, lifting them out and guiding them toward eternal life, only releasing them upon their entrance into everlasting communion. By invoking divine grace in our moments of weakness, we seek to understand the essence of repentance, embracing this gracious gift from God and utilizing it to pursue our salvation. \\n\\nIn His mercy, God has endowed human nature with two essential faculties—repentance and faith—through which we can rise from our fall and restore our connection with the Divine. These two attributes are the means by which God calls humanity to salvation, inviting each individual to exercise their will towards redemption. Just as mankind fell through free will, so too is the choice for salvation granted through that same free will. \\"Repent and believe\\" (Mark 1:15). Through repentance, God offers forgiveness and access to Himself, and through faith, He reveals divine truths that surpass human understanding. Faith grants the mind insights that transcend rational comprehension; while reasoning only grasps what it can fully understand, faith embraces all the revelations of God and the sacraments of Christianity.\\n\\nRepentance introduces sensations of grace into the heart, unfamiliar to our fallen nature, teaching us authentic worship and the acceptable offering to God: a contrite heart (Psalm 50:19). When in this state, the spirit of man communes with the Spirit of God, leading to renewal and salvation. The ineffable God, having created humanity and provided all means for life, permitted the choice between life and death through human free will. Similarly, in redemption, God, with both wisdom and goodness, left the choice of accepting or rejecting salvation up to us. He has seeded in us the innate capacity for repentance—a tool for mending discord and reestablishing peace between humanity and God, between the fallen creature and the Almighty Creator.\\n\\n\\"Repent!\\" He implores us, beckoning all to Him. Your salvation has already been accomplished by God; death has been conquered without your input. Stop clinging to the death you have freely accepted! Embrace the everlasting life that you have previously turned away from! Utilize the gift of repentance, bestowed according to your will! May your reconciliatory actions with one another reflect your reconciliation with God! Just as initial faith consists of believing in God's word, so does initial repentance involve recognizing your sins, lamenting them, and sincerely confessing while committing to abandon sinful ways in favor of the Gospel's teachings. Such a repentance will lead to clemency for sins, reconciliation with God, and unity with Him, evident from the Scriptures that say, \\"My iniquity I have known, and my sin I have not covered. Let me confess my iniquity unto the Lord, and Thou hast forsaken the wickedness of my heart\\" (Psalm 31:5). This call for repentance preceded baptism for those who embraced Christianity (Acts 2:38) and continues to heal the souls of Christians burdened by sin after baptism (1 John 1:9).\\n\\nThe Gospel is accepted by faith (Revelation 1:15); a life anchored in Gospel teachings fortifies faith, transforming passive understanding into active belief. Similarly, repentance evolves as one lives according to Gospel directives. Our flawed nature, ravaged by sin, offers only a dim light to discern our actions, revealing only our overt faults. Yet, illuminated by Christ's commandments, our self-perception is transformed, revealing the multitude of our hidden sins. We come to recognize both our collective human sinfulness and the unique transgressions borne from prior neglect of piety. As motives for repentance multiply, so does the depth of our repentance itself. This cleansing strengthens the soul's insight—renewed sight discloses more imperfections than previously seen, prompting a deepened drive for repentance.\\n\\nSuccess in the Christian moral life hinges on successful repentance, as genuine repentance stems from diligent adherence to Gospel commandments. The saints were notable for their profound sense of repentance; their endeavors were centered on this sacred act, fulfilling commandments as a means of addressing an insurmountable debt (Luke 17:10) that, despite continual payments, remains unrepayable due to the perfection of the Lender and the frailty of the debtors. For mature Christians, repentance assumes immense significance. When asked about repentance, St. Isaac of Syria described it as a \\"broken and humble heart.\\" He asserted that since all are sinners and none rise above temptation, there's no greater virtue than repentance, a practice that perpetually eludes perfection and is necessary for all who seek salvation, whether sinful or righteous. There exists no endpoint to repentance; it is an ongoing journey throughout life, ceaseless until death.\\n\\nWhen the grace of God envelops faith, believers ascend to a life beyond nature. Similarly, when repentance is embraced by divine grace, it elevates the practitioner to a higher existence. The holy fathers, imbued with the longing for repentance, were confined to a continuous cycle of sorrow for their and humanity’s sinfulness, foregoing worldly sustenance in their grief. Recognizing the sanctity of silence in profound repentance, they concluded that, \\"Outside of silence, there is no perfect repentance.\\" Others, faced with slander and martyrdom, bore these trials with humility, weeping over their perceived wrongs. Saints, when enduring severe tortures and the specter of death, recognized these sacrifices as pathways to purification. Despite witnessing evidences of their holiness, they primarily saw their own sinfulness, which had already been cleansed by grace.\\n\\nAmong the characteristics that define holy individuals is their constant consciousness of sin, which incites mourning as if unpardoned. For instance, King David lamented, \\"I know my iniquity, and my sin is ever before me\\" (Psalm 50:5). The Apostle Peter, recalling his betrayal of Christ, shed tears nightly upon the crowing of the rooster, just as he did on the night of his denial (Matthew 26:75). Even the esteemed Monk Sisoy the Great, despite being filled with the Holy Spirit, expressed a desire for more time to refine himself in repentance. This understanding of repentance, deeply instilled in the greatest servants of God, underscores the vastness of God's greatness and the gravity of man's fall.\\n\\nGod's salvific gift—repentance—demands of us utmost respect and diligence. Casual disregard for divine gifts leads to grave consequences. How can we expect anything less than disaster when we accept God's gifts without truly understanding them? Tragically, many approach the gift of repentance carelessly, often failing to comprehend its incompatibility with a life entrenched in sin. Engaging in sinful living while occasionally seeking repentance merely provides fleeting cleansing, allowing one to plunge back into depravity. O deceptive self-delusion! O tragic mockery of God's gift! O misfortune that awaits the unrepentant!\\n\\nThe words of St. John the Theologian apply to habitual sinners: \\"Everyone who sins has not seen Him, nor known Him...Let no one deceive you; he who practices sin is of the devil...Everyone born of God does not sin, for His seed abides in him; he cannot sin because he is born of God\\" (1 John 3:6, 10). The distinction between the children of God and the children of the devil is evident, making deception impossible. Those living a life of indulgence, even if they identify as Christians, are children of the devil; true children of God live according to Gospel principles, and their transgressions, born of human weakness, are swiftly remedied by repentance. Even the most righteous among us cannot attain total sinlessness, and therefore, repentance remains essential, as the Apostle John attests, \\"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us\\" (1 John 1:8).\\n\\nIn the early Church, as believers departed from paganism, they also renounced lives steeped in sin (1 Peter 4:3-4). The ways of the Gentiles, characterized by indulgence, influenced society, and such lifestyles cannot coexist with Christianity. Let us embrace repentance to attain salvation. If we receive the enduring gift of repentance from the Lord, we will in due course inherit the eternal gift of salvation. Blessed is God, who grants repentance in this life (Acts 11:18), for those truly repentant will find joy in eternity, for the Lord is salvation (Psalm 3:9).\\n\\nBelieve and approach repentance simply, for \\"God's own will come\\" to you, as St. Isaac of Syria said. God is faithful; He opens the hearts of those who listen, comforts those who mourn, and grants the kingdom of heaven to the humble. Do not discount the significance of repentance; it is the essence of all virtues, a collective endeavor that sustains all other good works. Only those who dwell in genuine repentance attain true success. It is the crucial task that prepares us for the Kingdom of Heaven. The Saviour proclaimed this: \\"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.\\" In His mercy, the Lord has prepared a splendid eternal kingdom and provided us with a path to the pastoral riches of the Spirit and Truth—the path of repentance. \\n\\nNeglecting repentance certainly leads to exclusion. Natural, sensory good deeds cannot substitute for repentance. St. Simeon the New Theologian recalls the favor of his tutor, Simeon the Pious, whom he credits with teaching him the importance of repentance. Identifying the means to access eternal treasures is indeed a precious gift. The mystery of salvation resides entirely within repentance. How straightforward and clear it is! Yet, what do we do? We forsake the saving repentance offered by God to pursue superficial virtues that please our senses; slowly, imperceptibly, we fall prey to a mindset that neglects true grace. \\n\\nLet’s halt this mockery of God! Let’s live before Him in a spirit of ongoing repentance. The day is approaching—the Last Judgment is imminent, and we will be evaluated not by our self-justified opinions but by the ultimate truth. Let us avert fearsome calamity through repentance, mitigating eternal sorrow with temporary remorse. Awaken, sinners! The hour is striking, and the time for work is rapidly closing. Yet, there remains an opportunity to condemn ourselves now, lest we face condemnation from God. Until today, we have justified our actions."},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"After the voice of the Leper in the wilderness was silenced and John was taken captive, Jesus commenced His ministry. While He had preached previously, His focus now shifted to Galilee, having previously proclaimed the message in Judea and Jerusalem during the Passover feast, although not as fervently as He did from this point onward. He began to announce more distinctly and frequently the same message preached by His forerunner, not confined to the wilderness as John was, but sharing His teachings wherever there were willing listeners: in villages, towns, cities, synagogues, homes, fields, on mountains, and by the lakeshores, even from boats, tirelessly teaching and declaring, \\"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.\\" The kingdom of sin, governed by the devil, had existed prior; now the kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven were at hand. To enter this kingdom, one must abandon past sinful ways, repent, and transform. Jesus did not introduce Himself immediately but continued the proclamation of the Baptist, understanding that the people lacked clarity regarding His identity. It seemed He withheld His own testimony and refrained from performing many miracles until John was imprisoned to avoid creating discord among the crowds, as St. Chrysostom notes. Nevertheless, His message, even at this stage, diverges from John's. He begins with the joyful announcement of the kingdom of heaven, prepared for those who will listen to Him. Unlike John, He refrains from discussing impending judgment at first, so He does not alarm the hearts of His audience right away. He calls sinners to repentance through the gentle voice of mercy, inviting you and me, dear reader, to join Him in His heavenly kingdom: repent, for it is only through repentance that one can enter this eternal realm."},{"author-name":"Justinus (Polianski)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8910e8cf0554bdb256030_Justinus%20(Polianski).png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Jesus initiated His ministry with the proclamation, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand; the time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent, and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15). Through these words, He presented a compelling mandate to all believers: turn away from sin and embrace the teachings of the gospel. Thus begins and continues the journey of salvation throughout one's life. A genuine Christian must always be reconciled with God, which cannot be achieved without ongoing repentance. This repentance involves more than simply saying, “Forgive us, Lord; have mercy on us.” It demands a conscious recognition of one's thoughts, actions, words, and temptations that fall short of His holiness, along with an acknowledgment of one’s own guilt without attempting to justify oneself, and seeking pardon for the sake of the Lord. \\n\\nBelief in the Gospel equates to faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and Savior, as revealed through His teachings. As the Lord declared to Nicodemus, “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). This faith should be vibrant, steadfast, unwavering, and driven by love, demonstrated through actions. Repentance and faith are fundamentally intertwined; they cannot truly exist apart from one another, containing a profound mystery within their union. When the realization of one's spiritual poverty through repentance aligns with the understanding of the Savior through faith, the abundant grace of Christ and the contrition of the sinner unite, giving rise to a new creation, a new being."}]}
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