As we draw closer to Holy Week, the purpose of Lent continues to echo in our hearts: “Repent and believe in the Gospel.” We need to get ready for Holy Week and especially to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection at Easter by purifying our hearts, turning away from sin and seeking His forgiveness.

It’s important, however, that we understand the full meaning of the forgiveness we seek. We must look into our hearts to identify our personal evil, fight through our natural inclination to offer excuses for ourselves and then seek Christ’s pardon. But in doing so, we are not only striving to put our lives in moral order. We must also be seeking reconciliation with those we have offended, with God, and with the body of believers, the Church.

The idea of reconciliation is one of the great gifts of faith and of forgiveness. Think, for example, of how many have experienced in large ways or small, the pain of division resulting from sin.

In families or among friends or coworkers, it’s not uncommon to find that people who once were close or at least collaborative are “no longer on speaking terms.” People give each other an extended cold shoulder after an ill-advised comment or an exchange of words.

As a result they spend time in regret because things are not as good between them as they once were. But then, sorrow or fear or bitterness burrows into the heart.

The result is that time passes as people wait for the other to “make the first move” toward reconciliation. Over time the wound becomes more deeply rooted and more painful.

If this is true in our earthly and family relationships, it’s not a stretch to say that is also happens spiritually. We know that in this secular age, many people are estranged from God and from the practice of their faith. Sadly, that is true for Catholics as well.

Once they move out of the house or go away to school, many of our young people who grew up practicing their faith and going to Mass somehow drift away. They find themselves separated from the Church.

Others may have more painful experiences that have somehow left them apart from their Catholic faith. I have known people who, in their grief at the loss of a spouse or loved one, find themselves angry at God. As a result, they cease praying or going to church.

Some have had what they found to be a bad experience, perhaps with a parish, with a pastor or even with the bishop.

Others have had their own experience of being the prodigal son, looking elsewhere for fulfilment or happiness and eventually finding how shallow and unsatisfying this passing earthly existence is.

And of course many have gone through a painful situation with a broken marriage that has left them apart from the Church.

What unites many of those in such situations is a quiet longing for the forgiveness of sins that only God can give. And often, deep down, there is a wish to be one again with the family of faith, the Church.

Yes, it may take time as well as the prayers of others before people reach this point. Some, in the mystery of human freedom, never do. But both personally and spiritually, the separation caused by sin is a weight and a pain borne by many in our modern and individualistic society.

This explains why the sacrament of reconciliation — confession if you will — is so healing. In the person of the priest, we truly hear the words of Jesus Himself, “I absolve you from your sins.” Reconciliation can then truly begin.

As mentioned before in this column and in our parishes on March 25, throughout the Diocese of Rockford, confessions will be heard from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Especially for those who have been away, who have been separated, this is the Church making that first move. This is the Church’s invitation to those who have been away, who have felt the pain of separation, to come.

The love of Christ is here. The door is open and the light is on. Please don’t be afraid or worry that you don’t remember how. The priest will understand and help with those issues.

Our day of confession is called “Be Reconciled.” Please pray about this and think it over. It is of course the forgiveness that we all need. But it is also time to be home again, to join the family of faith, the Church. Please come.