Each year the season of Lent offers us a particular time for emphasis on penance. As we look around and observe the world, and our society in particular, we can see why. Sin, both public and private, is being glorified as part of happiness and a normal lifestyle.

 

The widespread sexual immorality of our time, the incidents of violence, the disrespect for human life and dignity, the disregard for the right to life of the unborn, the greed and materialism of society, all of these seem to be growing even as moral resistance seems to be fading. No wonder the messages of Mary to St. Bernadette at Lourdes and to the three child visionaries at Fatima centered on penance and reparation for sin.

 

That leads to one of the great reminders that Lent gives us, drawn from faith. Sin damages this world. It is a corruption and a rebellion against the plan of God for creation and for us. No wonder our national and even personal mood seems so negative, so prone to anger, harsh response and taking offense at every turn.

 

Sin also damages each of us individually. It is not like a nick or cut that, if we stop the bleeding and keep it clean it will heal itself and go away. Instead, sin buries itself deeply, seeking a way to return. Even after receiving the forgiveness of God in confession, we are still given a penance to do. That is because God has forgiven us but the damage that we have done remains in need of attention.

 

Years ago, a wise old bishop commented that sin is like playing catch in your back yard when you were told not to. When the ball goes astray and through your neighbor’s window, the first thing you must do is go, ring the doorbell and apologize. But if your neighbor forgives you and you become friends again, the broken window, the damage you have caused, is still there. You still have work to do to make right what you did.

 

So it is for us. Because we are all sinners, to a greater or lesser extent, we all need to do penance. We must seek anew our friendship with God. Our fasting and prayer seek to root out the damage of sin buried within us. And our charity and good works accompanied by grace builds back the goodness of this world as God intended it.

 

This Lent, I would ask us to reflect upon one particular aspect of our relation to God that needs attention in the Church. That is attendance at Sunday Mass. To be at Mass is to be with Christ. It is to deepen our friendship with Him as He makes Himself present in the bread which becomes His body and the wine which becomes His blood.

 

For many years Sunday Mass attendance has been declining in the United States. With the outbreak of COVID, a number of people lost the habit of Sunday Mass while the restrictions were in place. Others became accustomed to following Mass on television or on-line.

 

The nature of Mass, however, is to meet Jesus personally. It is to join with the praying and worshiping Church. As a joyful and positive penance, attendance at Sunday Mass both strengthens us and repairs the damage of sin.

 

Please, make Sunday Mass a top priority. If you have family members or friends who have stopped attending, can you remind them or bring them with you?

 

Finally, don’t forget, Be Reconciled Day will be March 29. That day our priests will be hearing confessions from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Please check your parish bulletin or website for particular times and schedules. That information is also available at bereconciled.rockforddiocese.org

 

Lent reminds us that penance is a deep and necessary reality. Yes, it takes discipline and an openness to God’s grace, but it is also an invitation to joy and to renewal of ourselves and of our friendship with Jesus Christ. What a gift the season of Lent is.