Challenged to see correctly (Danny O'Regan)

Stop being paranoid!

  This statement doesn’t sound like something Jesus would say, but in essence this is what he is saying to his first disciples and followers.  The translation we have is repent!  But the word repent comes from the Greek word metanoia, which means to change your mind, transform your heart.  The opposite of metanoia is paranoia, when the mind/heart is forever fearful and closed. It cannot truly see what is in front, as it distorts everything.

  In the spiritual sense, when we see through the eyes of paranoia, we are allowing things in front of us to be completely distorted – we see things upside down.  Metanoia is challenging to us to see correctly, to see ourselves in the bigger scheme of things, to see ourselves as participants in the movement of the Holy Spirit.  Metanoia is the opposite of paranoia as it suddenly removes the obstacles and the change of heart/change of mind which can happen anywhere at any time.  Metanoia allows God in, paranoia keeps God out.

--Danny O’Regan, 

OLMC Director of Faith Formation

Image source:  https://io9.gizmodo.com/5905180/does-your-brain-really-have-the-power-to-see-the-world-upside-down