Blessed be the name of the Lord forever. — Psalm 113 (see 2)

Mass Readings: Galatians 4:22-24,26-27,31–5:1 /  Luke 11:29-32 

Repentance 

Today’s Gospel speaks of the sign of Jonah, a sign of repentance. Repentance means to do an “about-face,” to turn completely from sin and back to God. Repentance finds an extraordinary example in today’s saint, St. Teresa of Avila. Her early life was rebellious, but she turned and entered the convent. It was there her repentance took its truest form, because even though she was in religious life, for long stretches she didn’t find consolation in prayer. 

After much struggle, she was blessed with great spiritual insight and deep intimacy with God, and she persevered through many more challenges for the sake of being with God. St. Teresa demonstrates the type of repentance I aspire to have: a repentance that turns to God even when I don’t feel it’s doing me any good. 

Prayer: St. Teresa, pray for me, that I might persevere in faith.