Mark 4:26-34 | Ilhwa Kim | The kingdom of God is a mustard seed growing

Mark 4:26-34   The kingdom of God is a mustard seed growing

Seed Universe 106,  Created by Ilhwa Kim, Executed in 2019, Hand-dyed hanji paper © Ilhwa Kim Art Jesus said to the crowds: ‘This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man throws seed on the land. Night and day, while he sleeps, when he is awake, the seed is sprouting and growing; how, he does not know. Of its own accord the land produces first the shoot, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the crop is ready, he loses no time: he starts to reap because the harvest has come.’ He also said, ‘What can we say the kingdom of God is like? What parable can we find for it? It is like a mustard seed which at the time of its sowing in the soil is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet once it is sown it grows into the biggest shrub of them all and puts out big branches so that the birds of the air can shelter in its shade.’ Using many parables like these, he spoke the word to them, so far as they were capable of understanding it. He would not speak to them except in parables, but He explained everything to his disciples when they were alone.   READ MORE     Reflection on the Contemporary Work of Art Today’s Gospel reading features two parables: the parable of the growing seed and the parable of the mustard seed. These two short parables have a lot in common with each other: both talk about what the kingdom of God is like; both have to do with seeds; and both have to do with growth. Like we discussed over the past two days, Jesus used these simple stories from everyday life to teach important truths about His Father to us. As He ‘told’ the stories, not everyone understood the true depth of these parables fully at the time, including his own disciples. He had to explain the parables to them later, as our Gospel reads: he explained everything to his disciples when they were alone. This is quite a comforting thought, to see that even the disciples didn’t always get everything Jesus told them straightaway. Probably Jesus homed in the point when He was alone with them: that the parable of the growing seed teaches us that God is the One who makes His kingdom grow and that the parable of the mustard seed teaches us that Gods kingdom starts small but will grow amazingly large compared to its humble beginnings. So we are called to planting seeds and then trust that God will make them grow in His own time; not necessarily in our own time. Ilhwa Kim is a Korean contemporary artist, who creates these ‘Seed Paintings’, combining an ancient Korean tradition with a contemporary interpretation. Each ‘seed’ as she calls them, is made by hand, out of Hanji, a traditional type of handmade Korean paper, from the inner bark of Paper Mulberry. The small sheets are dyed with thousands of different colours and then rolled into ‘seeds’. Not one of them is identical, just like the mustard seeds… each growing into different, unique trees… by Patrick van der Vorst

So many ignoramus shills are inciting PANIC over novel coronavirus

January 30, 2020By benign0 Health

Scroll through social media and you’ll find a who’s who of Yellowtard Netizens kicking uptililing rampages over the novel coronavirus threat. These are the very same people who shrieked bloody “tragedy” when Taal Volcano first erupted.

People need to get a grip. Robert Dingwall writing for Wired suggests, “Fear, finger-pointing, and militaristic action against the virus are unproductive. We may be better off adjusting to a new normal of periodic outbreaks.”

Whenever new infections emerged, the first response was invariably fear that they’d become an existential threat to humanity. We are all going to die. The second response was to see the outbreak as a verdict on human failings; divine judgement has gradually been replaced by political miscalculation. The third response was to engage in action, however pointless, intended to “do something” about the threat.

Really, there’s no need to panic, because it seems, in this as in many previous cases, the panic itself does more damage than the perceived threat that caused said panic. What we need are level heads and not clucking hens we see infesting social media today.

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Ayalas more corrupt than Customs: Duterte

President Rodrigo Duterte lashed out anew against the Ayalas, saying they are more corrupt than the Bureau of Customs.

“It’s not merely — it’s not merely in the water sector. It’s in the LRT and some lands that were leased to them. Would you believe it? At 70 pesos per hectare ‘yung lupa diyan sa UP,” Duterte said in a speech delivered in Quezon City Wednesday.

The President earlier ordered a review of the UP-Ayala Land Technohub lease agreement, which is believed to be disadvantageous to the government.

“Talagang if you compute, all the corruptions done by those, ‘yung mga Customs, it pales in comparison sa nakaw nitong…,” he said.

But, that’s not all there is to it. Duterte also criticized the Ayala Foundation, the social development arm of the Ayala group of companies, which he likened to Salonpas, a product for pain relief.

Ayala Land on Monday belied the claims, saying the state university would receive a total value of P171 per square meter per month during the duration of the 25-year contract for a total of P10.23 billion.

The amount was derived from the P4.23 billion in lease payments and P6 billion investment in 16 commercial buildings, Ayala Land said.

"Kung ang statement nila less than P10.4 billion plus 25 years and only 16 commercial buildings eh talagang lugi. Yun ang klaro," he said.

(If their statement is true that they will pay less than P10.4 billion plus 25 years and only 16 commercial buildings then we're really at a loss. That's clear.)

"Sobrang ang laki ng kita nila," he added.

(They are earning too much)

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Tuesday the UP Technohub lease deal was "casually mentioned" during a meeting on the government's review of the water concession contracts with another Ayala-owned firm, Manila Water, and Maynilad.

"We (DOJ) have not been directed to review that lease contract as yet I understand that UP is doing its own internal review," Guevarra told ABS-CBN News in a text message.

President Duterte earlier this month promised to "correct" all government contracts before he steps down from office in 2022.

The chief executive said he ordered the Office of the Solicitor General and the Department of Justice to check all of government's existing contracts.

"All contracts that are prejudicial to the Filipino people will be corrected. 'Yan ang maaasahan mo (you can expect that), within the limited time left for me in office, sabi ko, I will correct everything, including contracts that are not to the best interest of the Filipino people," Duterte said.

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Duterte needs better representatives than Lorraine Badoy

January 29, 2020By benign0 Government

A video of Lorraine Badoy in a discussion panel with Ed Lingao and members of communist front Ibon Foundation is making the rounds. Apparently, the agenda of the talk was around “insights” published by Ibon Foundation on the numbers bandied around during a showcase early this month of the “legacy” of the government of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte.

According to observers, Badoy was “admonished” by the talk show host for not staying within the agenda, that is, responding directly to the points raised by the Ibon people who presented figures to back their assertions that they claim debunks this “legacy”. To be fair, Badoy, rather than do this, attempted to make the discussion all about the well-known ties of Ibon Foundation with the Communist Party of the Philippines thus making it complicit with the criminal activities of the latter’s terrorist arm, the New People’s Army (NPA).

Followong the “admonishment”, Badoy could be seen stammering her way through the rest of the video and giving her hosts dagger looks. Lorraine Badoy could have handled the situation better. This is, after all, television — media for people with short attention spans. She could have just giggled her way through the interview the way “vice president” Leni Robredo does (though to some increasingly limited effect).

Seriously, Badoy should have come prepared. Ibon Foundation, after all, had done its homework and had published their “insights” well in advance of this talk session. Her response to Ibon was no different to the way Yellowtard partisans dismiss critics who raise confronting and valid points as “trolls” and “paid hacks”. Indeed, the national debate and the conduct of both sides in this debate needs to a long overdue uplift in quality and grace. Filipinos deserve nothing less.

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Mark 4:21-25 | Patrick Caulfield | A lamp is to be put on a lampstand

Mark 4:21-25   A lamp is to be put on a lampstand

Lampshade,  Painted by Patrick Caulfield (1936–2005), Printed in 1975, Screenprint on paper Jesus said to the crowd, ‘Would you bring in a lamp to put it under a tub or under the bed? Surely you will put it on the lamp-stand? For there is nothing hidden but it must be disclosed, nothing kept secret except to be brought to light. If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen to this.’ He also said to them, ‘Take notice of what you are hearing. The amount you measure out is the amount you will be given – and more besides; for the man who has will be given more; from the man who has not, even what he has will be taken away.’   READ MORE     Reflection on the Screenprint on Paper  Yesterday we discussed the parable of the sower. Today we have another short parable, that of the lamp. Parables are essentially comparisons that Jesus draws to make an essential point. It is putting something alongside something else to compare. We have to remember though that initially parables were to be heard and not necessarily to be read. The hearers of parables had to make an instant appraisal of what the teacher was saying. So there wasn't time for them to sit down with a black-and-white text and dissect each detail, and try and correspond it to spiritual truth… which is something that we can do now. It is important to bear in mind that Jesus would have used parables to make the one main fundamental point. Something he wanted to focus us on. Once we understand this central point, all other details fall into place. Ok, so now back to our parable of the lamp in today’s Gospel reading. Again, one central point:  one does not light a lamp just to hide it under a bed! That defeats the whole purpose of lighting a lamp. Same with our hearts and minds… if these have been illuminated by the Word of God, we mustn’t hide it. This does not simply mean that we have to witness our faith, but that everything should flow from that: being kind, looking after each other, shine enthusiasm, spread love, etc… Our painting is by Patrick Caulfield, an English painter and printmaker, whose bold canvases depict everyday object, such as our lamp, in simplified form and outlines. We pray that the light of the living Word may shine into our minds and upon our hearts… The Word of God is the light to our lives... the light on our journeys… by Patrick van der Vorst

“Investigative journalist” Raissa Robles BURNED after playing doctor on Twitter!

January 29, 2020By benign0 Media

The trouble with some “thought leaders” is that they think they can play doctor in front of a large audience with impunity. This is exactly what “investigative journalist” Raissa Robles did in a recent tweet (screenshot here).

If not for the quick fact check of an eagle-eyed Netizen, Robles would have gotten away with the misinformation she had inadvertently perpetrated.

Indeed, Robles could have simply done a quick Google and find articles such as this that show that cervical lesions could occur in people of any gender.

MRI Spine Lesion

Being a self-proclaimed “thought leader” is a serious responsibility that should not be taken lightly. Raissa Robles should at least apologise for her reckless tweet.

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Mark 4:1-20 | Sir William Hamo Thornycroft | Imagine a sower going out to sow

Mark 4:1-20   Imagine a sower going out to sow

The Sower,  Sculpted by Sir William Hamo Thornycroft R.A. (1850-1925), Sculpted in 1889, Patinated bronze © Christian Art Today at Kew Gardens, London The mother and brothers of Jesus arrived and, standing outside, sent in a message asking for him. A crowd was sitting round him at the time the message was passed to him, ‘Your mother and brothers and sisters are outside asking for you.’ He replied, ‘Who are my mother and my brothers?’ And looking round at those sitting in a circle about him, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers. Anyone who does the will of God, that person is my brother and sister and mother.’   READ MORE     Reflection on the Bronze Sculpture Sir William Hamo Thornycroft was an English sculptor responsible for some of London’s best-known statues and was one one of the youngest members of the Royal Academy ever. He was the leading figure in a movement called New Sculpture,  which provided a transition between the neoclassical styles of the 19th century and its later fin-de-siècle, modernist evolution. Our sculpture today, photographed at Kew Gardens, London, shows a male figure wearing a loose shirt, trousers and leggings, striding forward over freshly ploughed earth, carrying a basket from which he casts the seed. He is focussed, moving forward with strength and determination, to sow the seeds. When choosing a work of art for the parable of the sower, the first work that comes to mind is often Van Gogh’s Sower. Throughout history this parable is one favoured by many artists. I often wondered why that is? The Parable of the Sower is a vivid story that illustrates profound truths about the condition of our hearts and our responsibility to share the Gospel as often and widely as possible. I guess it is the fact that this parable reveals the heart of the listener, just like art talks to the heart as well. Also, just like artwork has to depict or represent something, even when abstract, parables make the conceptual a little more concrete. Just like artists when they talk about their art, Jesus didn't explain everything in complete detail. He expected His listeners and subsequent Gospel readers (us) to do some of the work. If Jesus would have filled in all the blanks for everyone, it wouldn't have been as poignant and relevant. Just like when we look at art, parables challenge the listeners and readers to make the connection between the story and its Truth. The ‘Ah yes, I get it now’ moment occurs when we make that connection! Same with art, when you ‘get’ the picture or the artwork, beauty is revealed! by Patrick van der Vorst

The Philippine Constitution should be amended to prevent another Leni Robredo

January 27, 2020By benign0 Government

If there’s proof that the 1987 Yellowtard Constitution is a flawed product of a kneejerk overreaction to the threat of “another Martial Law Regime”, Leni Robredo would be it. From Day One of her “vice presidency”, Robredo has taken an obstructionist approach to fulfilling her role in government. Instead of working with her new government, she has held on to her partisan loyalties.

What is interesting is that Robredo’s office even has its own spokesperson — which if you step back to think about it, doesn’t make sense. Why have a separate spokesperson if you are part of the same administration supposedly?

Unfortunately, the Philippine Constitution requires that the Vice President be elected separately. This sets up the presidency to be a fragmented one by design — one in which a vice president will not necessarily be a team player. Leni Robredo has so far shown the worst of what had been long feared ill effects of such a system.

Leni Robredo’s PR stunts are a disgrace.

We see this now in the way Robredo’s publicity stunts serve as an unnecessary distraction from important things of national consequence. It’s time this situation is changed to spare future administrations the headache of another Leni Robredo scenario.

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Mark 3:31-35 | Francisco de Zurbaran | Feast of Saint Thomas Aquinas

Mark 3:31-35   Feast of Saint Thomas Aquinas

The Apotheosis of St. Thomas Aquinas,  Painted by Francisco de Zurbaran (1598-1664), Painted in 1631, \Oil on canvas, 475cm. high, 375 cm. wide © Museum of Fine Arts, Seville, Spain The mother and brothers of Jesus arrived and, standing outside, sent in a message asking for him. A crowd was sitting round him at the time the message was passed to him, ‘Your mother and brothers and sisters are outside asking for you.’ He replied, ‘Who are my mother and my brothers?’ And looking round at those sitting in a circle about him, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers. Anyone who does the will of God, that person is my brother and sister and mother.’   READ MORE     Reflection on the Painting Today we celebrate the memorial of Saint Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274). He is among the greatest writers and theologians of all time. His most important work, the Summa Theologiae, is an explanation and summary of the entire body of Catholic teaching. He is one of the Dominican order's greatest influential people in the history of the Catholic Church . He taught philosophy and theology with such genius that he is still considered one of the leading Christian thinkers, and still highly influential today. His humility, on a par with his genius, earned for him the title of ‘Angelic Doctor’. We study him in great detail here at seminary. For the little I personally have learnt so far about him, what strikes me the most is that whilst he was highly intelligent, he remained modest and a perfect model of childlike simplicity and goodness. He was very kind in word and in deed. It is this balance between the intellectual depth and the goodness of his heart which is so attractive and a great model for all of us.  Our painting today, The Apotheosis of Thomas Aquinas, is a huge, almost five-meter high painting by Zurbaran executed in 1631 for the College of St.Thomas in Seville. The lower half of the painting shows the foundation of the college, with on the purple velvet covered table the Act of Foundation of the College. The two founders of the college are shown: the Emperor Charles V and Cardinal Diego de Dez, with behind him the Dominican monks. In the upper half of the painting we see Christ flanked by His mother, and opposite them God the Father talking to Saint Dominic. The Holy Spirit in the form of a dove is casting its light on St Thomas who is depicted with a pen and book in hand. Around him are Saint Jerome and Augustine (who we discussed yesterday in our painting where he confronted the devil) on the left, Ambrose and George on the right. As we continue to dive into the intellectual depth and beauty of St. Thomas' thoughts, we pray that we may follow his views on the goal of our human existence: union and eternal fellowship with God… by Patrick van der Vorst

Mark 3:22-30 | Michael Packer | How can Satan cast out Satan?

Mark 3:22-30   How can Satan cast out Satan?

Saint Augustine and the Devil,  Painted by Michael Packer (1435-1498), Painted between 1471 and 1475, Oil on panel © Alte Pinakothek, Munich The scribes who had come down from Jerusalem were saying, ‘Beelzebul is in him’ and, ‘It is through the prince of devils that he casts devils out.’ So he called them to him and spoke to them in parables, ‘How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot last. And if a household is divided against itself, that household can never stand. Now if Satan has rebelled against himself and is divided, he cannot stand either – it is the end of him. But no one can make his way into a strong man’s house and burgle his property unless he has tied up the strong man first. Only then can he burgle his house. ‘I tell you solemnly, all men’s sins will be forgiven, and all their blasphemies; but let anyone blaspheme against the Holy Spirit and he will never have forgiveness: he is guilty of an eternal sin.’ This was because they were saying, ‘An unclean spirit is in him.’   READ MORE     Reflection on the Painting The Gospel reading of today talks about Satan, Beelzebul, evil and unclean spirits. Yes, Jesus takes on the forces of evil during His ministry and the powers of darkness cannot master Him. At the same time, we hear about the scribes already plotting against Jesus and spreading malicious stories. Depictions of hell, Satan and evil were not really very prominent in Art History until the 14th century, when the plaque, famine, wars, black death etc swept throughout Europe and some explanation for ‘evil’ rampaging needed depicting. Satan started being portrayed in beastly form but with human qualities, as a cautionary tale for illiterate church goers. Paintings, such as the one showing today, made around 1471, must have scared the viewers and therefore scared people away from sin. Showing Saint Augustine literally in the face of evil, would further have made the point, that anyone can get tempted by the devil. Even the saints. So we have to be aware of the devil and make sure we don’t engage with him.  Throughout the Middle Ages, when this painting was produced, the depictions of Satan portrayed him as an aggressive, malignant, evil force set on tormenting as many human souls as possible… even Saint Augustine. It is this what Jesus is warning us about today, that Satan is not just a passive onlooker, but he has an active role, trying to steal souls. Jesus is also saying that evil is not necessarily something overly monstrous, but can be very subtle. As subtle as not recognising goodness or seeing the badness in people or situations… as subtle as even not believing the devil exists… This recognising of subtle evil and being aware of it, led Saint Augustine to say: The confession of evil works is the first beginning of good works… by Patrick van der Vorst

Despite Ayala’s defense, UP still gets the short end of the stick

Published January 25, 2020, 12:38 AM

THINKING PINOY

By RJ NIETO

RJ Nieto

President Rodrigo Duterte just last night agreed to Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo’s recommendation to probe the lease contract between the Ayala Group and the University of the Philippines for the UP Ayala TechnoHub.

Panelo’s recommendation came a day after I published “UP Naming Binarat? UP gets only ₱22/sqm monthly from UP-Ayala TechnoHub” where I showed that Ayala paid UP a total of only ₱1.094 billion in rent payments from 2008 to 2018, based on the Commission on Audit (CoA)’s 2018 Annual Audit of the UP System.

UP v. City Treasurer of Quezon City (Supreme Court G.R. No. 214044), meanwhile, shows that the contract involves 380,630 sqm of UP (READ: Public) land, so that the said payments translate to an effective monthly rental rate of just ₱22 (rounded from ₱21.77) per sqm for that period.

The CoA report, in reality, provides more detail as it listed down Ayala’s annual payments per year: ₱107 million up front to cover 2008 to 2010, ₱55 million for 2011, ₱91 million in 2012, ₱96 million in 2013, and anywhere from ₱103 million to ₱111 million annually from 2014 to 2018.

Dividing the exact figures for each payment by the number of months and the total area leased, it’s easy to see that the effective rental rate was ₱7.81 from 2008 to 2010, ₱12.10 in 2011, ₱17.31 in 2012, ₱21.69 in 2013, and ₱26.68 to ₱35.41 from 2014 to 2018.

Considering that this involves a large tract of prime land in central Quezon City, it isn’t difficult to see that such rates are below what an average reasonable person would expect.

Ayala in a press release claimed it pays UP not ₱22 but ₱171 per sqm, saying it’ll pay the state university a total of ₱10.23 billion, or ₱4.23 billion in rentals plus ₱6 billion in “investment value”.

I find this claim problematic on the following grounds:

First, the numbers don’t add up. If UP gets ₱10.23 billion in total compensation for leasing out 380,630 sqm for 25 years, simple arithmetic shows the effective monthly rent is just ₱89.89 per sqm, which still sounds low.

Second, Ayala seems to have failed to consider depreciation. The ₱6 billion figure seemingly refers to the cost of improvements (buildings, roads, etc.) Ayala would have made to the leased land, improvements that UP will own after the contract expires in 2031.

I don’t understand how Ayala could expect us to believe that ₱6 billion of mostly technological buildings will still be worth ₱6 billion after 25 years of use. That’s just like Ayala telling UP, “I’ll buy a bucket and use it to sell water from your well for 25 years. I will give you just 10% of earnings, but you get to keep the bucket.”

Third, ₱6 billion for improvements sound a tad too high.

I looked at the Audited Annual Financial Statements of UP North Property Holdings, Inc. (UP North) from 2007 to 2018. UP North is the Ayala Land subsidiary that handles the project.

Based on these documents, Ayala has invested a total of ₱3.89 billion Investment Properties by the end of 2018, with the average annual cost of additional improvements at around ₱30 million.

If Ayala spends ₱30 million annually for the 12 years from 2019 to 2031, the total investments will translate to just ₱4.25 billion by the time the lease contract expires.

Thus, Ayala will need to inject massive capital to reach ₱6 billion by 2031, but this may be a severe challenge because a Google satellite view of the TechnoHub shows there’s little space left for building construction.

Fourth, is a 10% revenue share for UP fair?

Per CoA, UP’s earnings from the property come from around 10% share of lease revenues while Ayala gets the rest, which sounds unfair to UP when taken at face value. What’s more disturbing, however, is when we compare UP’s earnings to Ayala’s annual net profit.

Based on the same UP North filings, Ayala’s net profits are about five times what it pays UP in rent. For example, UP in 2018 got ₱112 million while Ayala got ₱660 million in net profit. In 2017, it was ₱116 million for UP and ₱634 million for Ayala.

Is this effective income sharing ratio fair? Malacañang should check that.

Fifth, Ayala’s net profits dwarf UP’s share. The same filings show Ayala posted a total of ₱3.683 billion in net profits on the property for the past 11 years, with an average annual net profit of ₱506.4 million for the five years spanning 2014 to 2018.

Modestly assuming Ayala posts a constant ₱500 million in annual net profits until 2031, then that’s an additional ₱6 billion on top of the ₱3.683 billion it already earned.

We are talking about net profits here, i.e., what Ayala gets after deducting all business expenses, including payments made to UP. Also note that land prices in Metro Manila are skyrocketing because of the POGO phenomenon and the metro’s rapid economic growth, so Ayala is likely to earn far more than just this.

Will this Ayala venture go broke if UP gets an extra billion or two on top of what little it currently receives?

I don’t think so.

We are talking about funding for Public Education here. We are talking about this Nation’s future in an increasingly knowledge-driven global economy. So why shouldn’t we fight to give our state colleges and universities the best deal possible?

In the first place, isn’t that primarily what the UP Ayala TechnoHub is for?

For reactions, please email TP(at)ThinkingPinoy.net or leave a comment on Facebook.com/TheThinkingPinoy.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2020/01/24/opinion/columnists/topanalysis/historic-president-historic-times/676759/

UP Ayala Technohub nabisto ni Thinking Pinoy 1/24

Matthew 4:12-23 | Liz Lemon Swindle | Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near

Matthew 4:12-23   Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near

The Prodigal Son,  Painted by Liz Lemon Swindle, Painted  in 2005, Oil on canvas © Liz Lemon Swindle Art Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the lake, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: 'Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.' From that time Jesus began to proclaim, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.' As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the lake—for they were fishermen. And he said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.’ Immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him. Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.   READ MORE     Reflection on the Painting From that time Jesus began to proclaim, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near’, it reads in today’s Gospel. So what does it exactly mean ‘to repent’? The dictionary describes it as: to feel or express sincere regret or remorse about one's wrongdoing or sin. This only goes part of the way to describe what repentance is. As a Christian, there are two requisites of repentance. One is to turn away from evil and the other is to turn to the good. Both should go hand in hand, but they are different. When one turns away from evil, it doesn’t necessarily make one good. The call of goodness is much more than just turning away from evil. To do good, is an active commitment to seek goodness, to spread goodness, to be good to your neighbour, etc. It is an active, positive commitment… more than just saying ‘no’ to sin. Repentance implies a change of direction; a 180 degree correction in regards to our relationship with God. We turn completely towards Him when we repent. The New Testament word for repentance (metanoia) — literally means ‘to change one’s mind’. So it all starts with a mindset… and the heart will follow. Repentance is a change of mind and heart that results in a clearer view of God, of others and of ourselves. So repentance is, again, much more than just saying ‘I’m very sorry’… Our painting by Liz Lemon Swindle depicts the story of the prodigal son, a story of repentance. The son’s true issue had always been the broken relationship with his father, which has now been restored due to the father’s loving display of acceptance and forgiveness… The son falling into His Father’s loving arms… by Patrick van der Vorst