Repent, believe and enter the kingdom of god

Praise the Lord. All glory and honour to Jesus forever and ever. Amen.

When I was in deep prayer this morning in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, this word of God came to me as today’s promise: Mark 1:15.This promise is for the wicked. Sinners and wicked people have a lot of hope because God loves them. God does not want them to perish; therefore, He tells them to repent and be saved. This is good news for sinners, wicked people, and even seven groups of criminals. God loves them so much. They are children of God. If they do not listen to this message, they will perish. Let us read the message now: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe in the good news.” So the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, believe, and enter into it. That is the promise.

Luke 13:3 says, “If you do not repent, you will perish.” If you repent, God will forgive you seventy times seven. You will never be destroyed; instead, you will flourish. “I tell you, unless you repent, you will all perish as they did.” (Luke 13:5). If you don’t repent, you too will perish just as they did. Who are these people? Verse 2 tells us: “Do you think that these Galileans suffered in this way because they were worse sinners than all the other Galileans?” No. We too are sinners. They were not greater sinners than us. These criminals are not greater sinners than us. But if we don’t repent (verse 3), we too will perish.

These Galileans were misunderstood by Pilate. He thought they had come to riot and strike against the Roman Empire in Jerusalem, but they were actually discussing their worship. Because of this misunderstanding, he sent troops and destroyed them. Someone reported this to Jesus. Then He said, “If you don’t repent, you will not receive God’s protection.”

Verse 4 (Luke 13) mentions another group: those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them. They were simply standing under the tower, resting, without realizing it could collapse. But it suddenly fell, and they all died in Jerusalem. Someone reported this too, saying they must have been great sinners. But Jesus said, “No, they were not greater sinners than you. All are sinners—not more, not less. But unless you repent, you too will perish.” So repent, enter the kingdom of God, and enjoy His protection every day.

So they were not greater sinners than us, yet they perished.

On April 14, 1912, more than 1,200 people died in the North Atlantic Ocean when the Titanic sank. They were not greater sinners than those who survived, or than us. But repent, and enter into the good days, for sin has a self-destructive nature. The punishment—or better to say, the reaction—of a wrong action comes back in the same way it was committed. The Bible says the result of sin is often seen as punishment. But the Catholic Church teaches that God does not punish anyone. God does not know how to punish anyone. Even hardcore sinners are not punished by God, but they face the natural reaction of their actions.

When this reaction happens, people perish—unless they repent and ask Jesus, “Save us, Lord.” Then the reaction shifts from the sinner to Jesus Himself. The weight of that action is placed upon the body of Christ. This is why sinners have hope. That is why Jesus gives this message to the whole world: Repent, live, and enjoy your life. If not, the devil will not punish you—the reaction of sin itself will come upon you. Every action has a reaction. Good actions bring good results; bad actions bring bad results, often immediately. Especially those who stand against the disciples of Jesus—Acts 26:14 says, “It hurts you to kick against the goads.” The reaction is instant. Standing against the disciples of Jesus brings an immediate and dangerous consequence. But those who help the disciples of Jesus receive blessings immediately as well.

Wrong actions committed against others also return to the offender, though sometimes after many years. But for Christians, when evil is sent against them, Jesus takes it upon Himself. The wrong action aimed at you strikes His body instead, for as Acts 26:15 says: “Who are you, Lord?” He replied, “I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.” Jesus becomes the substitute for believers. Do not fear if you are a believer. When evil comes against you, it falls on Jesus instead, and you are saved.

What then of the reaction? That reaction returns to the agent of sin. That is chastisement (Hebrews 12:5). If they refuse to repent during chastisement, the end is very sad. Reaction destroys.

This is the message for the whole universe: the message of repentance. This is the time of repentance.

Let me tell you a story. A dead buffalo carcass was floating in Lake Erie during winter. An eagle landed on it and kept eating the flesh. The carcass drifted closer and closer to Niagara Falls. People on both sides of the lake shouted to warn the eagle to fly away, or it would fall with the carcass into the waterfall and die. But the eagle ignored the warning, kept eating, and stayed there. At the last moment, it tried to fly, but its legs were frozen to the carcass in the icy water. It was too late. Struggling did not help. The eagle fell with the buffalo carcass into the waterfall and died. Why? Because sin kills.

Romans 6:23 says, “The wages of sin is death.” Those who cling to sin are like that eagle clinging to the carcass. But the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord—for all who repent.

What do you want: death or life? Darkness or light? Jesus or Barabbas? Choose Jesus, who gives eternal life. Today’s promise is for all who are in sin: there is still hope. This is a year of hope.

Now let us lift up our hands in the presence of Jesus. Nobody will perish if they repent. But there is a time for repentance. When Jesus said, “Woe to you, Chorazin!” He meant: if the message preached to you had been preached in Sodom and Gomorrah, they would have repented and remained until today. Those who refuse to repent will face terrible days. But we pray for everyone—that no one may face terrible days, but only noble and blessed days.

Yesterday, one lady came from Malaysia and gave a testimony. She had been diagnosed with cancer and was given only six months to live. She joined the online adoration and prayed. Five and a half years later, she came here healthy and testified. Praise the Lord.

So, when we are sick, turn to Jesus. When we are sinners, turn to Jesus. When we are depressed, turn to Jesus. When we are poor, turn to Jesus. When we are healthy and wealthy, turn to Jesus. He will protect our health and wealth. Otherwise, the devil will destroy them. When everything is going well, turn to Jesus, so that the goodness continues. Otherwise, the devil will destroy it. Beware of him.

So we pray for all criminals and for all who are ready to repent, that they may enjoy life. Everything good will happen, like the prodigal son. He lost everything, repented, and returned. Luke 15:24 says: “Let us celebrate, for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” The destructive effect of sin was gone, and he was restored as a son, receiving his inheritance again.

We also pray for sinners and offenders. Job 42:10 says, “The Lord restored Job’s fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before.” We too will receive double health, double wealth, double friends, and double blessings. Now is the time to pray for others as Job prayed. Let us lift up our hands and seek the intercession of Mother Mary, Mama Maria, beseech your Son Jesus for the fulfilment of all our intentions and today’s promise.

Amen.