[Greek] μετάνοια (metanoia), [Latin] paenitentia, [Latin] peccatores metanoian (sinners into a change of mind): change of mind, repentance, change of beliefs; Mt.3:8-11, Mt.9:13, Mk.1:4, Mk.2:17, Lk.3:3,8, Lk.5:32, Lk.15:7, Lk.24:47, Acts 5:31, Acts 11:18, Acts.13:24, Acts 19:4, Acts 20:21, Acts 26:20, Rom.2:4, 2Cor.7:9-10, 2Tim.2:25, Heb.6:1,6, Heb.12:17, 2Pet.3:9
We live in a post-Christian secular world where many of us often minimize or disregard sin. All of us need to be open to that moment realizing, “Now I get it! Now I see!”
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means change of mind, regret, subsequent knowledge, and reversal. Yet in this era, this term does not really convey repentance and moral conversion.
Polybius’ Histories 4.66.7: “Phillip, being informed of their change of purpose, dismissed his Macedonian soldiers to gather in their harvest.
Xenophon’s Hellenica 1.7.19: “If you take my advice, this will enable you to learn the truth and to avoid finding out you have sinned, not only against the gods, but against yourselves.”
Antiphon’s First Tetralogy 2.4.12: “Respect these considerations, and satisfy heaven and justice by acquitting me. Do not wait until remorse proves to your mistake; remorse in these cases has no remedy.”
Thucydides’ The Peloponnesian War 3.36: “The morrow brought repentance with it and reflection, on the horrid cruelty of a decree, which condemned a whole city to the fate merited only by guilty.”
Old Testament: This term means repentance, going back, and returning. Penitence involves a new relationship to God.
New Testament: This term means repentance and change of mind.
Mt.3:8: [John the Baptist]: produce good fruits as evidence of your repentance
Mt.9:13: I did not come to call the righteous but sinners (into a change of mind)
Lk.15:7: There will be more joy over one sinner who repents than over righteous people who have no need of repentance
Rom.2:4: Are you unaware that God’s kindness would lead you to repentance
2Cor.7:9: I rejoice that you were saddened into repentance in a Godly way
2Cor.7:10: Godly sorrow produces repentance without regret
2Pet.3:9: The Lord is patient with you that you should come to repentance
Mt.3:2: Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand
Repentance: This term, meaning penance, contrition, and confession, only provides a limited and legal aspect of the Greek noun metanoia. Repentance emphasizes the pain you feel because of your sin. Repentance is always about turning from sin.
Metanoia: This term, meaning change of mind, new understanding, and transformed thinking, provides a broader understanding. The Greek noun metanoia means to coming to one’s senses in the understanding and truth. Metanoia is the reality of conversion: “Now I get it!” or “I once was blind, but now I see. Everything is different!”
Quotes about sinners:
“Jesus sat down and ate with sinners. That doesn’t mean He supported what they did, but it also didn’t keep Him from loving them.” Unknown
“You must ask God to give you the power to fight against the sin of pride which is your greatest enemy.” St. Vincent de Paul
“A church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints.” Pauline Phillips
“Be very particular that you do not dishonor the cause you profess to love, by living in sin and walking in iniquity.” Charles Spurgeon
“Every time that we sin, we are born of the devil. But every time that we do good, we are born of God.” St. John Chrysostom
Conclusion:
Penitence, pain, metanoia, peccadillo (sin for fault), impeccable
In Greek Hellenism, this term interestingly refers to only subsequent knowledge rather than moral understanding. Rather, one may have regret about a certain decision (choice), but not the moral implications of such a decision (choice).
In the Old Testament culture, this term pertains to having a new relationship with God.
Mt.3:8: John the Baptist illustrates that one must show actions of your repentance
Mt.3:11: John the Baptism will provide a baptism with water for repentance
Mt.9:13, Mk.2:17, Lk.5:32: Jesus is called to come to the sick (sinners). The notion is so important that it is found in three gospels. (Sin is seen as a sickness which needs to be healed).
Lk.15:7: There is great joy in heaven for that one sinner who repents (Parable of the Lost Sheep)
Rom.2:4: God is slow to anger, allowing for repentance
2Cor.7:9: Being saddened (shamed) by God into repentance can be redeeming
2Cor.7:10: But worldly sorrow produces death and destruction
2Tim.2:25: God may grant some repentance that leads to knowledge of the truth (Opening or changing one’s mind to see the truth)
2Cor.3:9: God gives time for us for repentance
The Paradox of Tolerance (by philosopher Karl Popper): If a society is tolerant without limit, its ability to be tolerant will be eventually be destroyed by the intolerant. Unlimited tolerance ==> no tolerance. #MindBlown
Update: I hope the following below can possibly change your mind or provide some perspective about sin:
True compassion: Jesus was called to come to sinners, accompanying them where they were. Jesus does not condemn, but calls others to sin no more. Jesus does not tolerate or condone sinful behavior.
False compassion: Church leaders, under the guise of mercy and inclusion, can often resort to changing or diluting church teachings (doctrine) to adapt (accommodate) to the culture.
Toleration is not a Christian virtue: Your “doing” is your “being”. Tolerance does not separate who you are from what you do.
Love is a Christian virtue: Your “doing” is not your being. Love can separate you from what you do. We are called to see everyone created in the image of God, despite what they have done.
Many of the LGBTQ+ community seem to define themselves by their doing (sexual inclinations).
“Homosexual persons are called to chastity.” Catechism of the Catholic Church 2359
“Homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered (according to God’s creation designs for marriage.)” Catechism of the Catholic Church 2357
Transgenderism rejects the body as a gift from God and which leads to harm.
“Gender affirming” medical and surgical intervention cause significant, and even irreparable bodily harm to children and adolescents. Fortunately, more and more people are realizing this as child abuse and a lack of intellectual capacity of a child to choose this. More and more de-transitioners are coming out telling their heart-breaking stores. Lawsuits are coming to the forefront in these matters.
Gay pride groups and drag queen groups often “pride” themselves in exhibiting lewd and offensive behavior (often in the presence of children). Rather than contemplating the moral consequences of their actions, they continue to be again and again proud and unapologetic of their behavior.
The Catholic Democrats in the House of Representatives, thinking that they “know better” than the U.S. Catholic Bishops, claimed to invoke Catholic teaching in its support of legal abortion. These Democrats think they are not sinning in supporting abortion. (Again “rights” are more important than moral teachings.)
In light of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn affirmative action, a white female Democrat and former Biden supporter stated, “No Black person will be able to succeed in a merit-based system which is exactly why affirmative action based programs were needed.” Wow! This statement provides an “eye-opening” insight of those who think that blacks (and others) are not capable of achieving on their own (a bigotry of low expectation for others). (Update: It really does not matter whether or not this is a real person. What matters is that there are still those people who think this way.)
The Vatican, Pope Francis, and his inner circle have shown a consistent track record of changing Church teachings and practices to accommodate the culture. (This has become a very painful and sobering reality in acknowledging this Modernist agenda.)
One must be cautious in blindly accepting that all claims in the synodal process have the full approval of the Holy Spirit, rather than just changing Church teachings. It must be stated that the Vatican prioritizes the synodal way. This is especially pertinent to the German cardinals, bishops, and priest who are truly going off the rails doctrinally, causing division in the Church. With this logic, the German Church could also claim that they are also guided by the Holy Spirit. Rather, the synodal way has led to more and more stepping on “theological and spiritual landmines” (changing teachings, confusion, restrictions, questionable liturgical abuses and ceremonies, insertion of pagan symbols, syncretism, doctrinal heresies, over-representation of lay influences, etc.).
We have been enduring Pride Month (with parades and drag queen shows): And look at this! Another eye-opening scriptural insight! Whatever God calls sin is nothing to be proud of! (Not a good look when you are associated with Sodom !)
“Their very look bears witness against them; they boast of their sin like Sodom. They do not hide it. Woe to them! They deal out evil to themselves ” Isa.3:9