When Jesus had heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulon and Naphtali, that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled. … From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”  

"He spends his nights in California, watching the stars on the big screen. Then he lies awake and wonders, why can’t that be me? ‘Cause in his life he’s filled with all these good intentions. He’s felt a lot of things he’d rather not mention right now. But just before he says goodnight, he looks up with a little smile at me and he says: if I could be like that, I’d give anything just to live one day in those shoes. She spends her days up in the north park, watching the people as they pass. And all she wants is just a little piece of this dream; is that too much to ask? If I could be like that…"

At the beginning of his public ministry, Jesus had one theme to his preaching, as Matthew reported: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Jesus taught and acted by proclaiming that theme, and even when he cured those who were hurting, you are led to believe that he was telling them to repent, reform their lives and get ready for the kingdom of heaven.
 
Specifically, Jesus’ theme means for us that we should be better than we are. In 3 Doors Down’s song "Be Like That," the person in the song studies the situation he/she is in right at that moment, and says: I can be better than I have it right now, and be like another situation that I want.

Jesus’ words specifically calls us to "be like that," with "that" being people who are aware that things must change in their lives if they want things to be better than they are. Throughout his public ministry, he presented a picture of what should be, what we really can be if we want. He told us to study those things, and if need be, to repent. "Repent" simply means "re-program our lives" for the better. We can be like that, if we want.                     

THOUGHT
 
PRAYER

Good and gracious God, your Son’s principal message to us on earth was to "repent" and "accept the Kingdom of God." Help us to change for the better what should be changed in our lives. Be with us, we pray.

Questions, comments? Let me know. Email Fr. Mike

©2007 Capuchin Province of Mid-America
Fr. Mike Scully is a member of the Capuchin Province of Mid-America