"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

Matthew 4:17

From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
It is significant that when God becomes man, His first word to us is not, “Keep it up!” or “What do you think?” but “Repent!” Many people are put off by that, as they would be by a total stranger walking up and saying, “Stop it!” But then, Jesus is not a total stranger. He knows us better than anybody, which is why His first word is “Repent!” Not one of us can hear that word with an ounce of reflection and not immediately recognize those things of which we need to repent. That’s why we reflect so rarely. The good news is that Jesus did not come merely to depress us with the fact that there’s plenty wrong with us. He came to deliver us from the sins He called us to see and repent of. Today, hear the voice of Jesus and repent. He will surely forgive and deliver you from all sin.

Hat tip to Mark Shea at Catholic Exchange!