Peter [said] to them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the holy Spirit.
For the promise is made to you and to your children and to all those far off, whomever the Lord our God will call.” (Acts 2:38-39 NABRE)
Repentance is a positive concept, a change of mind and heart toward God reflected in the actual goodness of one’s life. It is in accord with the apostolic teaching derived from Jesus (Acts 2:42) and ultimately recorded in the four gospels.*
Luke presents baptism in Acts as the expected response to the apostolic preaching about Jesus and associates it with the conferring of the Spirit (Acts 1:5; 10:44–48; 11:16).*
Peter called people to repent and be baptized. He echos Jesus' first public message which is to repent. When we change our minds and hearts toward God not only is there a visible change in the way we live our lives, we invite the Spirit into our lives. And it is this Holy Spirit who is one with the Father and the Son who brings us power and wisdom even in today's world.
Today, I will seek to continually change my mind and heart, inclining them more and more toward God, seeking to act on the change, and to welcome the Spirit as my constant companion.
Saint Ludovico of Casoria, whose personal suffering moved you toward compassion for others, pray for us.
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