Metanoia Explained by Cats

Catholics have a whole vocabulary that is unfamiliar to most people. Most of it is words that have stuck from the original greek or latin and are usually needed because there really is no other way to say it (e.g. Transubstantiation).

In many recent conversations with other millennials, I have found that seeking purpose and inspiration in life is a very natural part of our generation. The biggest hurdle in conversations about the faith come when talking about sin and repentance. We have a word for this process – metanoia.

“Repent (metanoeite) and believe (pisteuete) in the Gospel.”
– Mark 1:15

 

1. This cat understands how you feel talking about your sins.

2. This cat is also always surprised by how bad it got so fast.

3. Failure always makes this cat feel disgusted. She knows reflecting on it isn’t comfortable.

We don’t talk about metanoia much outside of Ash Wednesday and Lent, but it’s part of the core of the Gospel message. Pope Paul VI once referred to it as a “Change of heart.” Metanoia is a genuine conversion sourced in repentance of our sin and desire for the mercy of the Lord. It’s a genuine and personal encounter with Jesus.

“I have redeemed you; I have called you by name: you are mine.”
Isaiah 43:1

4. Taking time to reflect, this cat also doesn’t remember why he went after sin either. It just left him feeling isolated.

5. This cat thought she could handle a little sin, but then she just got stuck.

6. This cat was so caught up in the moment. Without any reflection on his choices, he didn’t notice the danger territory he entered until it was too late.

7. After further reflection, it suddenly became very clear to this cat that he’s not where he wanted to be today.

For many of us, there is often the first big moment when we hear His voice and leave our sinful ways, but it’s not the only time for metanoia. In our broken world, we have an inclination and tendency to sin. The Christian life is incredibly difficult, and it requires an authentic and persistent rejection of sin.

8. This had a real moment similar to St. Paul’s falling off the horse, but she know that yours might not be the same.

9. Reflection on your life after knowing Jesus might just reveal its weight of your rejection of His love like it happened for this cat.

10. Sometimes it doesn’t take much reflection, and it will hit you fast.

11. Either way, we just have to come to the conclusion that we won’t be able to get out of this alone.

12. Yes, we got ourselves into our mess, but we really do need Jesus, no matter how hard we try on our own.

If we trust in the Lord for our future, we have to hand over our past and offer it to His mercy. The Christian way is inseparable from repentance. It is how we receive the forgiveness that He won for us on the cross. Without it, we lose the point of having a Lord and Savior.

“Repent (metanoesate), therefore, and be converted (epistrepsate), that your sins may be wiped away.”
-Acts 3:19

13. This cat also loves hearing about the infinite love and mercy of Jesus. That’s always fun.

14. This cat will have eternal joy knowing that Jesus never tires of offering us His infinite mercy. 

Eternal happiness in heaven is what it’s all about. Jesus wants us all to be in union with Him now and forever, and it only takes is admitting that we are broken and in need of a savior. He won’t hesitate to forgive.

 

Recommended Reading:
Best Confession Ever: 5 Things You Should Do Before Confession (and 5 While You’re In There) »
St Monia and St Augustine, ora pro nobis.