TRANSFORMATION

So, how are all those Lenten disciplines going? Have we failed to follow the diet, stick with the exercise regimen, and begun yelling at the kids again? If you, like me, are mourning how hard and fast your perseverance fizzled and are eating a great big piece of humble pie this second week of Lent, may I suggest we extend ourselves a little tenderness and consider the etymology of two words that may put some perspective on where we’re at and what God may be inviting us to for the rest of this sacred season.

For Christians around the world, Lent is considered a season of repentance from sin that leads to transformation. But what does Jesus mean when he urges us to “repent” from “sin” – what is he hoping this looks like for us?

When we hear the word repent, we often think it means feeling remorse for our errant behavior and undertaking some punishing hard work to make amends. But our English interpretation of our ancient texts often leads us astray and, in this case, quite spectacularly. The ancient Greek word for “repent” in the Bible is μετανοέω (metanoeō) which simply means “to change our mind.” Jesus is not asking us to shamefully beat our breasts and enter into harsh acts of atonement, rather, he is simply inviting us to change the way we understand or think about something – namely our relationship with God and our neighbor. Jesus knew that our deepest human struggle stems from our image of God as a harsh, exacting judge taking notes on our every misstep. Even though this idea couldn’t be further from the God of mercy that Jesus speaks of with such love and fervor, it lingers in our imagination. So, he invites us to think again, to change our mind.

The ancient Greek word for “sin” in the Bible is ᾰ̔μᾰρτᾰ́νω (hamartánō) which literally means “missing the mark.” In the first century, if someone missed the bullseye in archery, it would be said that the person shooting the arrow “sinned.” We all miss the mark. We all sin. For Jesus, who prayed “that we may be one,” sin is anything that thwarts our unity. In a word, sin is alienation. Alienation from our best selves, our neighbor, and from God. Sin isn’t our individual violation of a bunch of rules and regulations, not a lack of perfection which is related to our personal performance but rather a fumble (in thought, word, or deed) our collective aim of collaboration and togetherness (aka The Body of Christ). We are a good creation that knows our target and holds the good intention of hitting it, but we aren’t “living to the full” because we all in some way or another “miss this mark” and contribute to the discord in our world.

So, as we continue this Lent, may our minds be open to change (repent) ready to draw near to the God who loves us without boundary or breaking point and forgives without conditions or demands, so that we may be healed of our separation (sin) and be made whole again through embracing all that Jesus held up as most important: “forgiveness, non-violence, inclusiveness, and unconditional acceptance¹.” This is the transformation God wishes for us this Lent, and every day ahead of us.

In other words, eat the chocolate! We are being invited to much, much more.

This article was printed in the Grosse Pointe News on Feb. 28, 2024 https://www.grossepointenews.com/articles/guest-view-eat-the-chocolate/