Tuesday in the Octave of Easter

“Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is made to you and to your children and to all those far off, whomever the Lord our God will call.”

Repentance is a freeing act, not a punishment. True contrition releases us from the bonds of sin, transforms our minds and hearts, and leads us to holy and good lives. Whenever we repent, we renew our baptismal vows. We reject Satan, his works, and his vanities. We proclaim our belief in the Holy Trinity... God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We profess our faith in the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. We express our intention to live in accordance with the doctrines of Christ and his Church. We promise to avoid sin and to love God and neighbor with all our hearts. This we do with the help of the Holy Spirit, who is ever at our side and ready to give us every support in living out our baptismal promises and helping us to make amends whenever we fail to do so.

Are we truly repentant of our sins? How can we live out our baptismal promises more faithfully? Do we seek the aid, inspiration, and guidance of the Holy Spirit whenever we are faced with a choice between good and evil?

O Lord, we repent and turn our hearts to you.

Amen.