During the Lenten season the Church urges us to focus on seeking pardon for our sins. The more somber Lenten liturgy, marked by the purple vestments and the absence of the Alleluia, is a striking image calling for sorrow for offenses against God that each of us has committed. The Stations of the Cross not only remind us of what Jesus suffered on Good Friday, they are also a reminder of the sin of the world that Jesus took upon Himself for our salvation.

 

From the moment of the fall of Adam and Eve, the consequence of sin has been apparent in the world and in every sinner. Before their disobedience, recorded in the Book of Genesis, Adam and Eve lived in harmony with God, with all of creation and with each other. All that changed when they misused their freedom by disobeying the commandment God had given them.

 

After acquiescing to the temptation of the evil one, Adam and Eve are said to have suddenly recognized that they were naked, and they clothed themselves. Original innocence and the proper integration of the gift of sexuality had been disrupted. 

 

Then, when Adam and Eve in their new state of sinful knowledge hear God walking in the Garden of Eden, another sign of their previous intimacy with God, they try to hide themselves from Him (Gen 3:8). When God asks if they have eaten the fruit of the one tree He had forbidden them to eat from, Adam blames Eve, and Eve blames the serpent. The harmony between man and woman is now fractured. (Gn 3: 11-13).

 

Next, God tells Adam that he must work the ground which will bring forth for him thorns and thistles and grass instead of the original fruit of creation. And the woman is told that she will bring forth children in the pain of childbirth (Gn 16:18). The harmony between the human race and creation has also been disrupted.

 

While the language of Genesis may be descriptive, the reality it conveys is the truth of our existence. Each time we sin, we join Adam and Eve in separating ourselves from God. God never ceases loving us, but we have placed an obstacle between Him and us. 

 

Sin also deforms our soul so that we are not able to receive His grace freely and joyfully. For that we need prayer, the sacraments, especially the Mass and confession, and our own efforts to repent.

 

Lent calls us to reflect on how sin makes us less than we know we should be. How often has sin led us to offend our spouses and family members, or in various ways those with whom we work or whom we meet? How often do smaller sins lead us to greater sins and various forms of undiscipline?

 

But we are reminded of something else during Lent. Just as we have offended and must seek pardon, others have offended us, and they seek our forgiveness. The reconciliation that we need is not just for us to receive. In the measure that we forgive others, we too will be forgiven. 

 

Are there then others with whom we must seek forgiveness this Lent? Are there any long-standing disputes or painful silences that we are living with? Our own hearts must soften and give pardon in order to receive it and restore what sin has damaged.

 

Once again, don’t forget that Be Reconciled Day is coming up Wednesday, March 29. Most of our parishes will be hearing confessions from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Check your parish bulletin or https://bereconciled.rockforddiocese.org for particular details. Each year this is a very popular and moving moment of mercy and grace. Come be a part of it, especially if you haven’t been to confession for a long time.

 

Each of us, deep down, longs for reconciliation with God, our neighbor and creation. Let’s make this Lent to be that moment!