“Produce fruit in keeping with repentance." — Mat 3:8 (NIV)
In the front of Pharisees and Sadducees, John the Baptist told them to produce fruit in keeping with repentance. Well, what does that mean? It means to demonstrate the true change in your heart and mind by the way that you live in your life. But, repentance is not only measured by feelings. Repentance is more than a feeling or thought when a person deeply regrets what he or she has done. That's not enough. To repent is not only to feel bad about our sins, but also to think differently ("To repent" comes from the Greek words metanoeo, it means “to change one's mind”).
For John the Baptist, Repentance is more than turning away from sin—it is also a turning to a fruitful life. God does see our hearts, but the fruits of repentance that we produce are very important to strengthen ourselves. Thus, we will be able to measure if we are serious about leaving sin and living in harmony with God's will.
The fruits of repentance that we produce are also very important for others. It will be a testimony to others so that they are moved to repent and bear the same fruit of repentance. Let's live what John the Baptist said. May our lives always be moved by the Holy Spirit to repent and bear fruit.
Reflection on Matthew 3:1-8 by Fr. Fransiskus Diaz, SVD.
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