In today’s Gospel reading at Mass, we get Jesus’s first words in the Gospel of Mark: Repent and believe in the Gospel.”

This is a message not enough Christians hear today, let alone the non-Christians we are called to evangelize.

First, repent. We must recognize that we are sinners, and that, contrary to the platitudes and constant lies of the world, we are NOT enough, and we are NOT okay as we are, though God loves us even in our mess.

We must reject our sin. We must call it for what it is, desire to leave it behind, and strive to do that. As Catholics, we must make use of the beautiful Sacrament of Confession.

We will not stop sinning in this life, of course. God knows that, and he doesn’t expect something we are not capable of. But He does expect us to name our sin truthfully and to make an honest effort to improve, to strive to sin less.

Secondly, believe in the Gospel. This is not a mere “head” acknowledgement of Christ’s Lordship. It is TRUST. It means actively trusting Him when He calls us to take up our cross daily and follow Him. It means trusting that time we give Him daily in honest prayer is not wasted. It means striving to surrender to His will, even and especially when what is happening to and around us doesn’t make much sense.

“We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose.”

This life is hard. We bear a fallen human nature in the midst of a fallen world, and the only way to heavenly glory is the Way of the Cross.

Take up your cross, then, and follow Christ. His yoke is easy and His burden light.