Regret

"On the day of Pentecost, Peter said to the Jewish people, 'Let the whole house of Israel know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.' Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart." Acts 2: 36-37

A few days ago, while talking with a friend suffering in a nursing home, he told me he wished he had taken the opportunity to visit Assisi when he was younger. Too busy to "waste" time going to Italy when he was first ordained priest, his body would no longer allow him to travel long distances, and he had to depend on photos and videos to see Assisi, Rome and La Verna, the places so important to St Francis and his dreams for the church and the friars.

Everyone has some regrets. A hospital chaplain once wrote that he never met seriously ill people near death who said they wished they had spent more time at work. Rather, concerned that they spent too much time proving themselves by their accomplishments in the marketplace, the dying wonder whether anyone will remember them!

Some of the Jews who had failed to listen Jesus had these same regrets. Acts of the Apostles tell us "they were cut to the quick," by their shortsightedness, and wondered aloud what they might do to correct their mistakes.  Peter's response is quick and to the point. Repent, and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. God's promise remains no matter how often we have overlooked it.

Today, pray that the seed of the great Easter promise of life forever with God will take root in your heart.

How do you respond to your regrets?