Repentance means changing our malevolent mindset, Bishop Ignatie explained to Romanians in Galway

On Sunday, Bishop Ignatie of Huși addressed the Romanian Orthodox faithful in Galway, Ireland, explaining that true repentance involves transforming a sinful and malevolent mindset.

The bishop was in Galway after participating the previous day in the enthronement of Bishop Nectarie as the new Bishop of Ireland and Iceland.

Reflecting on the exhortation of St. John the Baptist, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand,” Bishop Ignatie emphasized that repentance begins with a change in mentality: “Spiritual restoration starts in the mind, with our thoughts, and how our mentality is woven concerning our lives and spiritual path.”

He explained further: “To repent means to change your sinful, malevolent mindset, because only in this way can we transform our lives, turn them toward what is good and beautiful, and ultimately, to the kingdom of God.”

The Power of Thoughts

His Grace highlighted the profound influence of human thoughts on shaping one’s inner state and outlook on life: “Oppressive thoughts filled with fear and anxiety create a grim vision, while serene thoughts full of hope and kindness bring harmony and clarity.”

“Our lives are shaped by the thoughts that swarm in our minds. From these thoughts, we construct our perception of life.”

Bishop Ignatie warned of the dangers of negative thinking: “If our thoughts are negative, malicious, or sinful, they will shape our vision of life accordingly, leading to inner turmoil.”

Conversely, he encouraged nurturing positive thoughts: “If our minds are filled with thoughts of light, joy, and peace, our lives will likewise be joyful and peaceful.”

The Captivity of the Mind

The bishop explained the mind’s remarkable ability to construct its own realities, which can sometimes become prisons of illusion and misinterpretation.

“A thought, though baseless in reality, when perceived as true, can cause deep suffering. In such cases, it becomes incredibly difficult to distinguish between reality and mere projections of our imagination.”

“We often see people who struggle because they are trapped in their own thoughts. It’s very difficult to free someone from a thought that has no basis in reality but exists solely in their mind as an invention or illusion. We often fight against the illusions in our minds, treating them as real, even though they lack any foundation to certify their reality.”

Freedom in Christ

Bishop Ignatie concluded by pointing to Christ as the liberator from the captivity of harmful thoughts:

“Christ calls us to change our lives and our mentality. Every time we confess, we are making the decision to renounce our sinful mindset and strive to adopt the mind of Christ. And where do we discover Christ’s way of thinking? In the Gospels, in the Holy Scripture—we see there how Christ thinks.”

“The battle of the mind is challenging, but Christ, through His grace and power, and with the help of prayer, can aid us in overcoming the difficult and complex situations we face.”

Photo: Diocese of Huși


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