Words or Actions

In our modern world we often see and hear others pretend to repent. They stand in front of cameras and profess their faith in one ideology or another, and then sometimes just months later pledge their loyalty to the opposition. We know them as politicians who will say and do just about anything in front of just about anybody to get votes. Because we see this so often, when we are faced with others who change their point of position or belief, we find it difficult to believe. Why don’t we trust repentance?

You might be wondering why I speak of repentance in terms of politicians. Repentance isn’t just a religious concept. The word means “to change one’s mind or mindset” and can be about anything. Politicians, neighbors, clergy, coworkers, or even family members. They are all examples of people who can repent, but it seems to me they are all equally not trusted when they change their mind about something. I won’t lay all the blame at the feet of politicians, as we have been experiencing this reality for ages. Take today’s reading from Acts as an example.

In those days, Saul was with the disciples at Damascus. And in the synagogues immediately he proclaimed Jesus, saying, “He is the Son of God.” And all who heard him were amazed, and said, “is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called on this name? And he has come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests.” But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ. When many days had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him, but their plot became known to Saul. They were watching the gates day and night, to kill him; but his disciples took him by night and let him down over the wall, lowering him in a basket. And when he had come to Jerusalem he attempted to join the disciples; and they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. So he went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. And he spoke and disputed against the Hellenists; but they were seeking to kill him. And when the brethren knew it, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him off to Tarsus. So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was built up; and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit it was multiplied. – Acts 9.19-31

Because Saul had been so violent and threatened so many Christians, it was difficult for the people to trust him, so Barnabas came to their aide. The people trusted Barnabas, so when we vouched for Saul, the people began to warm to his presence. In a way, we do the same thing in the Church today. When someone comes for a sacrament, a very vulnerable aspect of our faith since it reveals the mystery of God, a sponsor is required from within the trusted members of the Church to ‘vouch’ for the person receiving the sacrament.

It is true that many still today ‘don’t mean what they say’ even in the Church. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard, “Yes father, I will start coming to Church. I really do miss it.” After a few times people tend to return to the lack of participation in which they were before. It is almost as if people are telling the priest what they want him to hear, thinking beyond logic, that the priest will believe the words. It isn’t the words priests believe, but the actions.

Saul “went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord.” If he had gained access to the inner circle, but his actions were still the ‘old Saul’ the people would never have ultimately accepted him. Words are nice, but actions reveal true hearts. When repentance is just words, hearts are not changed, and behavior remains the same.

What does this have to do with you, and your life in Christ? We all have something to repent about when it comes to our faith in Christ. We all have to ‘change our mindset’ about God for us to grow closer to Him. It may be attending Church more often, or it can be increasing the amount of grace we offer those who are suffering around us. If we are honest with ourselves, we are not perfect Christians. Let’s stop with all the words and start changing some actions. Then maybe others in our lives will trust that we actually believe the words we use.

Once someone can trust our repentance, and believe the words we speak, then our lives will be an inspiration for others to repent and ‘change their mindset’ about God. If the Christians in their lives are no different than the politicians on TV, then we remain lost and wandering. It wasn’t until Saul became Paul and the people trusted his actions AND his words, that people were converted to the faith.