“For Christians, metanoia is about change with a purpose…”
by the Right Reverend Thomas Clark Ely, Bishop of Vermont
Mountain Echo, February 2008

One word more than any other has dominated the rhetoric of politicians during this presidential primary season. That word of course is change. Whenever I hear folks talk about change, whether in politics or in the church, I am put in mind of the old Dilbert cartoon with the caption, “Change is good. You start!”

It seems to me relatively easy to talk about change when it comes to politics. Delivery is another matter. All the rhetoric as I hear it is focused on systems, or policies, or personnel, or a particular way of dealing with a problem. In other words, it is focused on something beyond the candidate. Those expressing their hopes, ideas and plans for change have, I would credit them, good intentions. While at times they might “play to the crowd,” I rather think they truly believe in the change they are seeking, even if it often gets expressed in vague and general terms. Most often it seems that their election is the key to the change, but what I haven’t heard is anyone talking about how they need to change. Like our friend Dilbert, it is much easier to encourage another to change than to look deliberately upon one’s own life and circumstance for what might need to change.

Examining our own lives and making appropriate changes is an important part of our spiritual life as Christians. The approaching season of Lent is, in the rhythm of the Christian liturgical year, a time when we are especially encouraged in that direction. The Greek word that best captures this understanding of change to which we are called is metanoia.

Metanoia was a central theme in the preaching and teaching of Jesus, and it had to do with changing the orientation or direction of one’s life. It had to do with conversion and transformation, a change of heart and a change of mind. Repentance is the word most often used to translate metanoia, but repentance not only in the sense of regret, as it is so often applied, but rather the turning around of one’s life toward a more positive direction. Repentance in this sense is not about groveling before God or “beating our selves up,” but about embracing a new vision.

The invitation to the observance of a holy Lent beginning on page 264 in The Book of Common Prayer calls us to self-examination and repentance, along with the other spiritual disciplines of prayer, fasting, self-denial and Bible reading. The Litany of Penitence beginning on page 267 offers some broad categories and specific examples for thinking about our lives and those places where we might well embrace a new vision with a sense of purpose and hope: relationships, service, personal tendencies, human need, injustice, and God’s creation to name a few. I commend to you a thoughtful, prayerful and reflective rehearsal of that litany this Lent.

Arguably the most compelling story of metanoia in the New Testament is the parable of the prodigal. The repentance in the story is indeed heartfelt and certainly exemplary, but the real power of the parable is in the welcome offered the prodigal, “while the prodigal was yet a long way off.” This aspect of the story helps remind me that metanoia is not just about me, about who I am and about what I do. It is also about God, about the nature of God and what God is always ready to do.

For Christians, metanoia is about change with a purpose, not change for the sake of change. It is about turning to God, embracing a change of heart and mind that draws one more deeply into the purposes of God—the reign of God. Metanoia is about change in us, and I bid you to explore the possibilities of metanoia in your lives and faith journeys this Lent.

Faithfully,
+Thomas

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