‘R epent and believe in the Gospel.” 

 

This is one of the exhortations used at the beginning of Lent at the moment when we receive ashes on Ash Wednesday. 

 

Those words come from the first words of Jesus recorded in the Gospel of Mark (1:15). They set the tone for us in Lent. That is why our preparation for Holy Week and Easter puts an emphasis on repentance. It is a key to following Christ.

 

Still, what exactly is repentance? Given the infinite holiness of God, how can we, as sinful human beings, make worthy repentance before Him? What form should that repentance take? 

 

For some who perhaps have been away from the practice of the faith and now feel God’s call to return, they might ask what words to use? Where does one even begin?

 

We need to recognize that our repentance takes place in a specific and all-encompassing context. That is that God loves us and wants us with Him, even when we are sinners. Yes, it is right that we fear the just judgment of God for our sins. But even more, we trust in God’s mercy because Jesus told us to do so.

 

One of the great stories of repentance is the parable of the Prodigal Son. As we recall he has offended his father by selfishly demanding his inheritance with which he then leaves to squander in foolishness and sin. Broken by his failure and his shame he recognizes the offense he has committed.

 

It is the son’s articulation of repentance that is especially spiritually instructive. He tells himself that he will go to his father and say, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.” (Lk 15: 18-19).

 

We sense immediately the son’s change of heart from his self-centered departure from home. He is broken but he recognizes that at home and with his father is where he belongs. This is the first step in our rejection of sin, that is, a renewed desire to be back with Christ and with His Church.

 

The son notes that he has sinned against heaven. Every sin is not simply a worldly offense against others or even ourselves. Rather, sin offends God and repentance must start there. 

 

But the son goes on to address as well the worldly evil he has committed against his father. He plans to state without reservation that he has offended his father. And then he will not ask to be restored to his previous place of privilege. Showing real humility he asks only the grace of treatment like a hired hand.

Of course, the love of God is demonstrated by the father in the parable. He allows the son to express his repentance against heaven and the father. He also allows him even to say that he is not worthy to be called a son any longer. But there the father stops him. The father decided how to treat the repentant child. He not only restores him as a son but grants him an even greater status.

 

As we prepare for our Lenten conversion, this is a model of repentance. This is how we should prepare for our Lenten confession. We must change our hearts and then in the depth of conscience, place that conversion before our merciful Lord.

 

Don’t forget to finish repentance with your Lenten confession. Be Reconciled Day is Wednesday, March 24. Check your local parish for details as confessions are heard from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the Diocese of Rockford. 

 

That prodigal son shows us how to prepare for and make that good Lenten confession.