2nd Week of OT 2018 - Friday - Insincere Repentance and Deepest Conversion

Yesterday, King Saul, jealous of the adulation of his people for young David, seemed to heed his son, Johnathan’s wisdom, that nothing is to gained by his hatred for David. Saul swears to God that David shall not be killed. So, it might have come as a surprise, that we read this morning, a few chapters later, that Saul and three thousand of his men are hunting down David.

We read how David had the perfect chance to kill his pursuer, literally catching Saul with his pants down, but when David spares Saul’s life, and gives an impassioned speech, again showing himself to be a friend of the king, Saul weeps and acknowledges David’s goodness.

Two chapters later in first Samuel, Saul forgets his contrition, and begins to hunt David again, and David again spares Saul’s life, yet even after that, we’ll find David fleeing Saul’s murderous plots.

Many mourn for their sins, but do not truly repent of them. Many will weep when they get caught in a misdeed and have to face the consequences of their actions, but they aren’t sorry for the action, they are sorry they got caught. I hear it in the confessional often, a child confesses getting in trouble for fighting with their sibling. They aren’t confessing the fighting, they are confessing getting caught.

Saul, was for a time ashamed of his envy and hatred of David, yet he did not rid himself of the deep bitterness in his heart, and so his hatred and treachery returned.

Insincere repentance might cause our sins to sleep for a bit, but likely they will return with greater force.

The Old Testament will chronicle, not just Saul, but Israel, exhibiting over and over again, half-hearted, insincere repentance, a failure to turn to the Lord completely.

Since, we are imbued with the Spirit of Christ, who himself completely surrenders to the will of the Father,  we, the Lord’s brothers and sisters, are able to practice the profound conversion. But we must desire, pray for and work for the deep personal conversion the Lord wants for us. We will always regret not handing over to God our selfishness and insecurities, but we will never regret allowing him to convert, change, and transform. us. For in complete surrender, we find perfect joy, for his glory and the salvation of souls.

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That all members of the Church may live out their baptismal call with greater conviction and faithfulness, and turn to the Lord in their sins with sincere contrition.
That those in civic authority may submit their minds and hearts to the rule of Christ, the Prince of Peace and Hope of the nations.
That the March for Life in Washington D.C. this Friday will help to transform our culture and inspire many to adhere to the Gospel of Life.
For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, the underemployed and unemployed, immigrants and refugees, victims of natural disaster, war, and terrorism, for all those who grieve the loss of a loved one, and those who will die today, for their comfort, and the consolation of their families.
For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.
Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord