As we move through this holy season of Lent, let’s continue to reflect on our need for conversion from sin and for God’s forgiveness. This is especially important because if we have not reflected on our sins, we won’t really understand why, on Good Friday, we will celebrate the crucifixion of Jesus who died for those sins.

Without this understanding, we won’t understand what is happening each time we go to Mass, when we acknowledge our sinfulness and participate in the renewed presentation of Jesus’ sacrifice for us.
When Pope Francis recently spoke about the sacrament of reconciliation during his Wednesday audience in St. Peter’s Square, he mentioned several reasons often given by Catholics who are reluctant to go to confession or who have long been away.

One of the reasons was that going to confession makes one feel ashamed. That is, of course, not unusual. The recounting of our sins often touches upon embarrassing moments that we regret or wish we could simply forget.

And apart from the factual recitation of “what happened,” we are admitting to our personal and moral weakness and failure. Tough stuff, for sure. But in truth, it happens to all who confess, even those who go frequently and regularly.

But our Holy Father gave his own reflection on the shame that our sins bring to us. He said, “Shame is also good, it is healthy to feel a little shame, because being ashamed is salutary. In my country when a person feels no shame, we say that he is ‘shameless’; a ‘sin verguenza.’ But shame too does good, because it makes us more humble … .”

The pope calls shame “good” and “healthy.” That is a profound truth that has become increasingly lost in our “I’m okay, you’re okay” society.

In some ways, our culture puts so much emphasis on making everyone feel esteemed that the notion of responsibility and accountability is downplayed if not even lost. But underlying the very nature of being esteemed, responsible and accountable, is a commitment to doing what is right and true.

And when we fail to do so, when we sin, we must acknowledge our failures. Otherwise, esteem, responsibility and accountability are either lacking or have no meaning.

Shame, then, is good. It is a natural reaction on our part to thoughts, words and deeds that have separated us from God’s love. It is a natural reaction to sin. Recall, for example, the story of Adam and Eve in the Book of Genesis. Before their sin, they lived in total harmony with each other and with God. But once they sinned, they recognized that they were naked and sewed leaves together to cover themselves. They hid from God who came for their nightly walk.

In short, the first human reaction to sin was shame.

But it was only through shame that the process of rebuilding friendship with God could begin. Only after their shame was addressed could Adam and Eve get past their lies to God and each other and begin again to build their lives.

Like a pain in our stomach or like a toothache, shame is a real pain that has the purpose of alerting us to what needs to be addressed, what needs to change for us to get back to health in our souls.

That is the good news about the sacrament of reconciliation. God’s forgiveness puts an end to our shame and our guilt.

That’s why this Lent I am asking for such a strong emphasis on reconciliation and the sacrament of confession. Especially if you have been away for a long time, come to confession this Lent.

Our effort has a special focus on Wednesday, April 9. That day, that we are calling “Be Reconciled,” I have asked our priests to hear confessions throughout the Diocese of Rockford from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Check your parish or area churches for specific times. You can also visit
http://bereconciled.rockforddiocese.org for confession times in your area and for guides for going to confession.

Don’t be held back by shame or by fear because it has been a long time. The freedom of God’s love and mercy is waiting for you.