Repent, the End is Near! | Sojourners

Repent, the End is Near!

We are all familiar with the crazy-looking street preacher in some public square haranguing every passerby with a message of doom and gloom while holding up a sign that reads, "Repent, the end is near!"

Well, as members of Congress go home to their districts in honor of the Jewish holiday Rosh Hashanah, the New Year, it might be appropriate for their constituents to welcome them home with just such a placard.

You see, this Jewish holiday begins a 10-day period during which Jews spend time in self-reflection and repentance, particularly in seeking to mend relations with those they may have wronged during the year. The 10 days culminate on Yom Kippur, when one repents of sins against God. Judaism believes that while God forgives sins against God, each person must repent and seek forgiveness from other people against whom they have sinned.

And I can't think of a better thing for members of Congress