1. Pre-Servants Class: Spiritual Theology June 5, 2009

3. Repentance What is Repentance Metania – Transformation (change) of mind or attitude 1.Returning to God : “Return to Me, and I will return to you” (Mal 3:7) 2.Reconciliation with God, compared to separation from God when sinning 3.Second baptism 4.Death to Life (“Dead in trespasses” Eph 2:5) 5.Freedom from sin (“whoever commits sin, is a slave of sin” Jn 8:34) 6.Truly not returning to sin.  Anba Pishoy mentioned not committing the same sin twice.

4. Message of Christianity (St. John the Baptist) “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Mt 3:2) “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” (Lk 5:32) “… not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Pet 3:9) “The one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out" (John 6:37). It is a JOURNEY towards life of purity.

5. Importance of repentance 1) Without it, we receive no salvation “Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish” Lk 13:3 2) Need to do it before any sacrament (e.g. communion)

6. Obstacles of repentance 1.Surroundings 2.Compare with people worse off 3.Delay 4.Despair 5.Self-Righteous (tax collector and Pharisee)

7. How to Repent 1.Examine yourself (how did I stray)  After sin  End of day/week/month/year  Before confession 2.Think of Consequences of sin Separation from God Deprives you from peace, joy, (refer to previous hand out)

8. How to Repent 3.Do not postpone  No guarantee you will want to later  Don’t know the obstacles ahead  Don’t know if you will live  May get worse 4.Do not despair (all sins are forgiven) 5.Do not justify or make excuses 6.Do not harden your heart saying “This is my nature”

9. 2 Parts 1) My part 2) God’s part (grace) (Joshua and the Jordon River) (H.H. Pope Shenouda – saying)