In the midst of the snow and the winter “busyness” of life, we look up and see that Lent is already here.

This coming Wednesday is Ash Wednesday.

For the next six weeks we are called and helped by the Church to walk a path of prayer and conversion that ends with Jesus on the cross and then the great victory of Easter Sunday.

The season of Lent has always been a sign of the Church’s understanding of human nature. We can get so involved and distracted by life’s demands that being attentive to Christ, to our moral lives and to faith in general can begin to diminish or be less of a priority. The sense of sin and the joyful call to reach out to those in need can grow cold when it should be among our greatest concerns.

To help address that, to keep us on top of our spiritual game, we might say, the Church gives us this period of intense concentration on deepening our holiness. Like a married couple that steps out for a monthly dinner together to keep their love fresh, or a priest renewing his dedication to the Lord on his annual retreat, Lent is a time to renew our faith and rededicate ourselves to fulfilling our call to holiness.

One of the traditional themes of Lent is summed up in one word: repent. It reminds us that each of us is a sinner.

In fact, in a modern and secular society that is confused about right and wrong and that tries to smother any sense of guilt for committing sin, we need to begin by acknowledging our own sinfulness. That is the first step to repentance.

We might ask ourselves, are there naggings of conscience that bother me? Now is the time to look at them directly and see what changes need to be made. Have I had an argument that needs to be reconciled? Is there someone that I am just not speaking to? Am I in a sinful relationship?

But our sinfulness or our right conduct is also guided by our relation to the Church and our Catholic faith. Are there elements of that relationship that also need attention and repentance? Am I meeting Christ weekly in my attendance at Sunday Mass? Anything less diminishes my love and friendship with Jesus.

What about Christ’s teaching given through the Church? Are there areas where in my faith or my practice I am at odds with the moral teaching of the Church? Now is the moment to reform, while there is still time.

The list for Lenten consideration is not just negatives. What about positives? Specifically, what good do I already do that I need to do more? Do I need to pray more? Can I do more works of charity? Can I give even more time to my spouse, to my kids?

Of course the high point of conversion and repentance, at any time but especially during Lent, is the sacrament of reconciliation.

Lent should bring each of us to ask again, “When was my last encounter with Jesus in confession?” Was it last Lent? Or several Lents past?

Our friendship with Him in this life should make us long to hear those words we find so often in the Gospels, “Your sins are forgiven.”

Make that resolution now. Lent will include confession. Every parish has the schedule published and available. Our priests will make every effort to schedule a time for you if that is needed.

And like last year, the Diocese of Rockford will once more offer a whole day committed to bringing people to reconciliation with Christ and the Church.

On March 25, once again under the title of “Be Reconciled” our parishes will make every effort to offer confession throughout the day from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Check with your parish for specific details and times).

St. Paul tells us in his Second Letter to the Corinthians, “now is a very acceptable time; … now is the day of salvation.”

As we begin the wonderful season of Lent and open our hearts to repentance and God’s forgiveness, those words ring in our ears and our hearts.

Don’t let Lent pass by without prayer, conversion and a deepening of love for Christ. This is truly an acceptable time.