One Path to Peace

Matt 1:1-8

Mark 1:1-8 (NRSV):

1 The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ.

2 As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,

“See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,

who will prepare your way,

3 the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:

‘Prepare the way of the Lord;

make his paths straight,’ ”

4 so John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And the whole Judean region and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him and were baptized by him in the River Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the strap of his sandals. 8 I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

Queries:

Which of Maimonides’ stages of repentance seem most challenging or daunting?

What is helpful–or hopeful–about viewing or practicing repentance in this way?

How is repentance a path to peace?

What is the good news of Jesus Christ, to you?

This sermon draws heavily on Danya Ruttenberg's On Repentance and Repair: Making Amends in an Unapologetic World (Boston: Beacon Press, 2022), which includes Maimonides's "Five Stages of Repentance":

Step One: Naming and Owning Harm
Step Two: Starting to Change
Step Three: Restitution and Accepting Consequences
Step Four: Apology
Step Five: Making Different Choices