Mondays with Matthew: Repent

Matthew begins the third chapter of the Gospel with John the Baptizer in the desert calling for repentance. The Miriam-Webster online Dictionary definition of repent is to turn from sin and dedicate oneself to the amendment of one's life; to feel regret or contrition; to change one's mind. When we think about repenting, we most often think about a particular sin or sins we have committed. But how often do we think about making real changes when it involves our own character flaws? How often do we say: "Well, I've always been quick-tempered, never had patience, shouted instead talked, etc."? Is is that we really cannot change or that we choose not to change because we do not believe there is anything wrong with our behavior? John calls us to take an honest look at ourselves. He calls us to change our hearts. He calls us to become something more than we were.