If you get any kind of news feed in your smart phone, on social media or on your tablet, you’ve undoubtedly seen these headlines: “Reset your body,” “Lose five pounds with a weekend cleanse,”

“Cleanse like the stars.” Behind these headlines are the recipes for some liquid concoction, which, once consumed, will flush your body of toxins that supposedly cause everything from inflammation to mood swings.

Sounds good, right? Who doesn’t appreciate a good cleanse and a chance to clean out that body and start over, especially if it’s as simple as taking a drink. Somehow, even the word cleanse sounds refreshing and full of promise.

But that kind of simple cleanse only takes care of the body.

What about our souls? What kind of simple, easy offer is there to get us back on track spiritually?

Next month, on March 5, we begin the penitential season of Lent. Lent is the time when Catholics turn inward and try to practice penance, almsgiving, and fasting which prepare us for Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday, through which we attain redemption. Time to cleanse our spirits, so to speak.

Lent is a good time to open ourselves up for a good cleanse so we can let in the purity, goodness and joy that is Christ. A perfect recipe for this cleanse is a good confession. And this year, all the parishes in the Rockford Diocese will be opening up in a special way to help us make time for confession by participating in Bishop Malloy’s “Be Reconciled” initiative.

“Be Reconciled” informatiom will kick-off next month with the beginning of Lent.

What exactly does that mean and what is “Be Reconciled?”

“Be Reconciled” is several things. First, it is an awareness effort to remind people of the special grace of the sacrament of penance and reconciliation.

Second, it is an opportunity for people who are hesitant about confession or who have been away from the sacrament for some time, to visit a church of their choice and make a confession.

To facilitate this, a special day has been set aside to focus specifically on the sacrament of penance and reconciliation. On April 9,  a Wednesday, Catholics will find priests waiting to hear confessions throughout the diocese from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Basically, it’s a recipe to help with a good cleanse.

Specific times and locations will be printed in bulletins and on web pages. Some parishes will send flock notes and emails. The diocesan web site will list all the times and places, along with information to help people examine their consciences and make meaningful confessions.

If you are a regular visitor to the confessional, “Be Reconciled” is a good opportunity for you to invite someone to confession so they can share in the grace you regularly receive for yourself. Consider it time to “share a good cleanse.”

As Lent approaches, watch The Observer, the diocesan website and Facebook page, and your local parish for more about “Be Reconciled” on April 9. Much more information will be coming your way.

So if you are in the mood to reset yourself and have been thinking about a good cleanse, look beyond the headlines and keep in mind the words of Christ and the Catechism of the Catholic Church in regards to penance and reconciliation:

“The human heart is heavy and hardened. God must give man a new heart. Conversion is first of all a work of the grace of God who makes our hearts return to Him: ‘Restore us to thyself, O Lord, that we may be restored!’ God gives us the strength to begin anew.” (CCC 1432)

“ ‘The whole power of the sacrament of penance consists in restoring us to God’s grace and joining us with Him in an intimate friendship.’ Reconciliation with God is thus the purpose and effect of this sacrament. For those who receive the sacrament of penance with contrite heart and religious disposition, reconciliation ‘is usually followed by peace and serenity of conscience with strong spiritual consolation.’ Indeed the sacrament of reconciliation with God brings about a true ‘spiritual resurrection,’ restoration of the dignity and blessings of the life of the children of God, of which the most precious is friendship with God.” (CCC 1468)