A cry of repentance
Since the beginning it has been with us; more than that, it has become the shadow that never leaves us. For fear that we might move away from it, it has seduced us with earthly desires and the pleasures of this passing life. It is destructive sin, the schemes of the cunning devil. What a disgrace! We, children of life, children of joy, children of freedom, children of hope, children of the Father, maker of heaven and earth, giver of life, joy and freedom, have become remote-controlled, programmed like machines, led by our deeds to destruction. “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines, epidemics and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains… For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be” (Matthew 24:7-8, 21). This is the series of horror films that has shaken humanity throughout history, and that our God Jesus Christ warned us about, not to mention the apparitions and messages of our Mother the Virgin Mary, who has called us to prayer and repentance. There is one culprit, our sins and our distance from the Lord our God, but the consequences are many. I begin with the epidemics that were born in certain countries and then swept across the whole globe, turning it into a terrifying massacre with countless victims: from the Antonine Plague to the Plague of Justinian, then the Black Death, the Great Plague of London, yellow fever, the Great Plague of Marseille, cholera, the Manchurian plague, the Spanish flu and the Asian flu, then AIDS, swine flu, Ebola, and last but not least the coronavirus pandemic that crippled the whole world. I continue with the immense, devastating wars that poured out their fury on every soul and spirit, every body, every home and every nest, and left nothing behind but victims, famine, poverty and displacement. And now the scenes of earthquakes, volcanoes, floods, fires and so many other natural disasters. What a chain that never ends! It goes on to this day under different names and forms. These disasters cared nothing for the power of money or the authority of rulers. They made no distinction between rich and poor. They did not fear the strong or spare the weak. And we reproach the Lord, our Master and our God: Why, Lord, did you allow this? Why, Jesus, are you angry with us? Why, O God, do you send us these calamities and disasters? Why, why, why?!
Was it the Lord who told you, woman, to abort your child?
Was it Jesus who told you that living together before marriage is allowed?
Was it God who told you that you could change your sex and live in homosexual relationships?
Was it your God who told you to take drugs and other forbidden substances?
Was it your Saviour who told you to put an end to your life?
Was it your Lord who told you not to respect the commandments or keep them?
Was it the Lord Christ who told you to worship money and run after leaders and rulers?
Was it your Creator who told you to break away from the Christian Church and follow sects and heresies?
All these disasters are of our own making, we of little faith and weak souls.
So enough blaming our Saviour and Redeemer for the faults and sins we commit!
Enough debauchery and selfishness!
Enough hatred and lack of love!
Enough greed and avarice!
Enough pride and vanity!
Enough corruption and immorality!
I speak in the “we” form because I feel guilty myself, and I don’t know how to make you turn to me and remember me.
The moan of my weeping splits the rock as I hear and see our Lord Jesus Christ suffering terribly and crying out loudly and in anguish because of your sins.
The wound in my heart bleeds heavily as I watch our Mother Mary opening her arms to hold you tight, while you remain indifferent.
My soul groans in anguish as I see you drifting far away, while the road to salvation is only a few steps from you.
Ah! Ah! Ah!
I am the one who rescues you, under the protection of your Mother the Virgin Mary.
I am the plank of your salvation, together with prayer and the rosary.
I am the one who comes to your aid, together with fasting, penance and contrition.
I am the ship that leads you to the divine harbour.
I am the start of the road to God, and the companion on the road to the end.
I am your way of crossing from your deadly sins to eternal life.
My brothers and sisters, I am Repentance!
My tears have dried up and my soul has suffered as I wait for you! So how much more God the Father and the Virgin Mary?!
Do not be afraid, for there is no sin that can exhaust God’s generosity, love and mercy. The power of God’s love is great and makes all sins disappear, and makes you a light that shines brighter than the rays of the sun. He told you, “Come to me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
Do not wait: wash away your sins through me, but with tears of contrition coming from the depths of your heart, and always remember that Jesus is a fountain of mercy and a waterfall of love. “The one who endures to the end will be saved” (Matthew 24:13). And “whoever believes has eternal life” (John 6:47).
“Be ashamed when you sin, but do not be ashamed when you repent. Sin is the wound; repentance is the medicine. Shame follows sin, and boldness follows repentance; but Satan has reversed this order, giving boldness in sin and shame in repentance.”
(Saint John Chrysostom)
“My beloved, make today the day of your repentance, lest death come upon you this very night.” (Saint Ephrem the Syrian)
With my love,
Repentance
Prepared by Céline Abi Nassif
