Repentance

"Most of the major crises in our lives are confrontations with our shadow selves.  Invariably these are encounters that show us something about ourselves that we'd rather not see.  They are therefore, most painful, most distasteful, and we do everything we can to avoid them.  We seek some cocoon of security and tell ourselves we're in good shape and therefore do not need any more 'metanoia.'
     This metanoia is an elusive concept.  It means a turning around.  But this raises the question: How many times can one, or must one, turn around?  Can't we just find the truth and stay with it?  How can the Gospel ask for repeated, ongoing turning around?
     The answer lies in our very human tendency to find another comfort zone.  We faced one shadow, we're proud of our effort, and we think we're converted for good, so we rest on our laurels.  Then the Gospel orders us again, turn around.  Again?  We're addicted to this self-image we worked so hard on and we want to keep it.  But we must let go of it.  All right, so we build another castle and settle down.  Then the Gospel says once more, turn around.  It's always about letting go, a perpetual series of turning around."

Richard Rohr
Quest for the Grail