Ash Wednesday
Readings: JOEL 2:12–18, PSALM 50(51):3–6, 12–14, 17, 2 CORINTHIANS 5:20–6:2, MATTHEW 6:1–6, 16–18
5 March 2025
Come back to me with all your heart. JL 2:12
In the ancient Greek language in which the New Testament was written, there are two words usually translated as repentance. The first is metamelomai, which refers to a sincere regret for something done. It is the word used to describe the sorrow and regret that Judas experienced when he realised that his betrayal would lead to the condemnation of Jesus (Mt 27:3–5). But whilst Judas was genuinely sorry for what he had done, bearing in mind that he acknowledged his sin as he returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, his sorrow did not lead to him turning back to God. Instead, he gave up. In all fairness to Judas, it is quite possible that the lack of mercy and forgiveness shown to him by the chief priests and elders led to him giving up on God’s mercy also.
The second Greek word for repentance is metanoia, which literally means a change of mind, or change of heart. It is different to metamelomai in that it involves not just a sorrow for the wrong we have done, but it also involves a turning back to God. It involves not just regret for past sins, but a genuine desire to change our ways and to avoid those sins in the future. It begins with sorrow, but it does not stop there.
Often, we are genuinely sorry for our sins, but it does not always lead to a change of ways in that we continue to confess the same old sins over and over again. It is as if we are caught up in the metamelomai, whereas we need to move towards metanoia, not just sorrow, but a turning back to God with our whole heart.
Lord, help me to turn back to you with my whole heart. Amen.
Fr Antony Jukes OFM
Fr Antony Jukes OFM, from Chingford, East London, joined the Franciscan Order of Friars Minor in 2002 and was ordained in 2009. He has served in a parish, youth retreat centre, and a Franciscan Study Centre, and is now the novice director in Killarney, Ireland.
With thanks to the Diocese of Wollongong, who have supplied this reflection from their publication, METANOIA – Lenten Program 2025. Reproduced with permission.
