During the season of Lent, we are called to draw closer to Jesus and the Church by reflecting on our sins, changing our hearts and seeking God’s forgiveness. Of course we should do that all year round. But throughout Lent we intensify that effort.

 

The Church is like a wise mother to her children by proposing this exercise for us. 

 

Our 40 days of penance are based on Jesus’s time in the desert where he was tempted but never sinned. For us, however, the 40 days also serve as a time and a motivation to overcome the inclination to overlook our faults. 

 

Sometimes out of fear, sometimes because we don’t wish to change our ingrained habits, it can be difficult for us to admit that “I have sinned.” 

 

The grace and the solidarity of joining others in a time of prayer and penance can give renewed strength for that necessary conversion.

 

But lest we dwell only on the difficulties of conversion, Lent is also a time to reflect upon the freedom and consolation we receive when we turn away from sin. 

 

Time and again people comment on the peace they experience as they exit the confessional having heard Jesus forgive them through the person of the priest. 

 

That peace can take various forms. For example, starting Lent as we do with the imposition of ashes and the reminder that we shall all return to dust in death one day, we should be looking ahead to the Day of Judgment. 

 

Christ has told His followers that when He returns in judgment, on the basis of how we have lived, everyone will be separated for eternal joy in heaven or everlasting punishment. 

 

Since none of us shall avoid the moment of judgment, how consoling it is to look forward to that day knowing that we can stand before Jesus having already been absolved and forgiven of our past sins.

Conversion and forgiveness can give us peace in our everyday lives as well. That is true even if some of the damage of sin still remains to be worked through.

 

Consider, for example, the Gospel recounting of the Apostles James and John when they brought their mother forward to speak to Jesus (Mt. 20:20-23). 

 

In the context of Jesus’s teaching about His passion and the need to be servants and humble, they have their mother ask for special places for them in the coming Kingdom of heaven.

 

We can imagine the lasting regret that incident left in their hearts, especially after the crucifixion. In later years, as they carried out their apostolic ministry, we can imagine that neither they nor the other Apostles who were offended by such ambition ever forgot that moment.

 

But we can imagine as well that in their intimate friendship with Jesus, the brothers at some time spoke to Christ about their regret for that conversation and how much they had learned about the nature of Jesus’ kingdom. We can imagine too that they might have talked to the other Apostles and sought their forgiveness.

 

Such a sin might well result in the sort of lasting shame that is never forgotten by the brothers. But it could also have been transformed into a deeper understanding of themselves and of sinful humanity. That transformation would have made them better priests and better Apostles.

 

Once again, I ask that all of us include a confession in our Lent observance, especially if anyone has been away from the sacrament for many years. 

 

Don’t forget our Be Reconciled Day to take place on April 10. On that day throughout the diocese confessions will be heard in all of our parishes from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Check your parish for specific times and details.

 

Do use this Lent to seek the consolation and peace that comes from the forgiveness of sins.