# Repentance ## Catechism of the Catholic Church _See_ Contrition; Penance. ## Ignatius Catholic Study Bible *Repentance* ([[mark-01#^mark-01-4|Mk 1:4]]) – *Metanoia* (Gk.): literally a "change of mind". The word is used 22 times in the NT for a conversion of one's entire life to the Lord. Based on similar OT concepts, it involves a twofold movement of the heart: one who repents turns *away from* sin ([[1-kings-08#^1-kings-08-35|1 Kings 8:35]]; [[ezekiel-18#^ezekiel-18-30|Ezek 18:30]]) and *toward* God ([[hosea-06#^hosea-06-1|Hos 6:1]]; [[sirach-17#^sirach-17-25|Sir 17:25, 26]]; [[hebrews-06#^hebrews-06-1|Heb 6:1]]). This entails genuine contrition for past failings and a firm resolve to avoid them in the future, and it may be accompanied by bodily disciplines like fasting ([[daniel-09#^daniel-09-3|Dan 9:3-5]]; [[joel-02#^joel-02-12|Joel 2:12]]; [[2-corinthians-07#^2-corinthians-07-10|2 Cor 7:10]]). Because repentance is a gradual process of transformation, God is patient with sinners struggling to make amends and redirect their lives toward holiness ([[wisdom-12#^wisdom-12-10|Wis 12:10]]; [[romans-02#^romans-02-4|Rom 2:4]]; [[2-peter-03#^2-peter-03-9|2 Pet 3:9]]). Repentance is inspired by the eternal life offered in Christ ([[mark-01#^mark-01-15|Mk 1:15]]; [[acts-of-the-apostles-02#^acts-of-the-apostles-02-38|Acts 2:38]]), and its genuineness becomes evident when lives are changed in accord with the gospel ([[matthew-03#^matthew-03-8|Mt 3:8]]; [[acts-of-the-apostles-26#^acts-of-the-apostles-26-20|Acts 26:20]]; [[galatians-05#^galatians-05-22|Gal 5:22-24]]). ### Source [[mark-commentary#^v1vnp3|Repentance — word study]]