The Healing Power of Repentance: Embracing the Light of God

Repentance is more than mere remorse or self-reproach; it is a profound turning of one's entire being towards God, fueled by love and a sincere desire for divine union. It is the gateway through which the healing of the wounded human nature begins. Through repentance fallen man turns wholly to God, starting the process of fulfilling His commandments. As the Prophet Isaiah expressed in his prayer, seeking God earnestly even "in the night of sin" illuminates the soul with the divine commandments, which are themselves a light upon the earth. This imagery underscores the transformative power of God’s commandments, which are not burdensome but are the very means by which we come to experience the Uncreated Light of the Godhead.

The Necessity of Repentance for Bearing the Divine Light

The journey of repentance is not just about turning away from sin but is fundamentally about preparing to bear the Light of the Face of God. Without repentance, man remains incapable of enduring this divine radiance. The teachings of the Church emphasize that both humans and angels require the grace of God and the strengthening power of the Holy Spirit to sustain their praise and worship eternally. This is echoed in the Anaphora of the Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great, which proclaims that all creatures, endowed with reason and understanding and strengthened by the Holy Spirit, are able to offer an unceasing hymn of glory to God.

Saint Silouan’s reflection, as recalled by Saint Sophrony, further elucidates this concept, noting that our earthly beings are too fragile to sustain the fullness of divine grace permanently. Thus, the manifestation of God in His eternal glory can only be endured momentarily, and even then, only when the body and psyche are fortified by the grace of the Holy Spirit.

The Transformative Shaking of Repentance

The transformative process initiated by repentance is likened to a violent wind or a mighty earthquake, as described in the Epistle to the Hebrews, where everything that can be shaken is removed, so that only the unshakeable remains. This metaphor illustrates the profound and sometimes tumultuous nature of true repentance, which shakes the believer’s existence to its core. The purpose of this spiritual shaking is to clear away all hindrances that prevent the humble God of love from residing in the believer's heart, preparing them for the Kingdom that cannot be moved.

The Lifelong Journey of Repentance

Repentance is not a one-time act but a continuous, lifelong process that involves daily turning towards God and away from sin. It is through this ongoing spiritual practice that believers are gradually healed, sanctified, and prepared to receive and bear the divine Light. The experience of repentance, while challenging, brings about a profound internal renewal that aligns the believer with God's will and readies them for eternal communion with the Divine. This journey of repentance, marked by both despair and hope, pain and joy, is essential for anyone seeking to fulfill the commandment to love God with every aspect of their being and to live in the light of His eternal love.

Reference: Alive From the Dead: Homilies on Great Lent, Archemandrite Zacharias Zacharou