Last week, we considered the first part of one of the most needed and sadly most neglected prayers in our spiritual arsenal: the Act of Contrition. That prayer is hugely important because it helps us to prepare for the sacrament of reconciliation during this Lenten season. It also puts us in harmony with the great theme of Lent, repentance.

Repentance is more than a quick and passing feeling of regret for a mistake. It is a deep sense of shame and rejection of what we recognize in our lives to be something sinful, something against the will of God Himself. Every sin that we commit, big or small, mortal or venial is an offense against the love of God who gave His only Son to free us from the sins. Eventually, we must repent of each one of our sins.

As we saw last week, a famous version of the Act of Contrition begins this way: “Oh my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You. And I detest all of my sins because of Your just punishments, but most of all because they offend You my God who are all good and deserving of all my love.”

The Act of Contrition then continues, “I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace, to sin no more.” How well the Church and our faith knows our human strength and weakness. Like Christ in the desert, we are tempted. Unlike Jesus. who remained true to the will of His Father, we all sometimes fail by giving in to temptation.

As much as we would like to, we cannot promise that we will not sin. And the Act of Contrition recognizes that. So in our prayer we do not promise what human weakness cannot guarantee, but instead we “firmly resolve” to sin no more. That is still a significant commitment.

If, with a friend or a business associate, we were to resolve firmly to do something we would take that resolution seriously and make great efforts to carry out that resolution. So now, before God and before our brothers and sisters, with this prayer, we firmly resolve and commit ourselves to do everything we can to avoid sin.

God for His part, does not simply sit back and watch us. The Act of Contrition adds that our firm resolution is counting on “the help of … grace.” As always, we trust in faith that what we cannot accomplish unaided and alone God will give us the help to carry out. So too, even in our struggle to repent and avoid sin, we trust in grace.

The Act of Contrition then concludes, “and to avoid the near occasions of sin. Amen.” This is hugely important for our spiritual lives. We resolve firmly to avoid sin. But so often there is something that precedes sin and makes it possible. Perhaps it is visiting a place where we know we should not be. Maybe it is associating with someone who regularly leads us into unworthy conversations, perhaps inviting gossip or slander.

We resolve firmly, as a part of our repentance, to stay away from even the places, people and the circumstances that place us face to face with temptation. Even in our spiritual lives, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

We should recite this prayer daily as part of an examination of our conscience. After reflecting on what we have done well by God’s grace and especially where we have sinned, this prayer recited daily reminds us of the evil of sin, the need to change and of God’s never failing help to turn back to Him.

The Act of Contrition is regularly a part of the sacrament of confession as well. After we have finished confessing our sins, the priest normally asks us to recite the Act of Contrition. Often a form of it is provided on a card in the confessional in case we have forgotten the words.

This Lent, don’t forget that the Diocese of Rockford will be having a day of confession and reconciliation on Wednesday, March 25, called Be Reconciled. From 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at parishes throughout the diocese priests will be ready and eager to hear your confession.

If you have been away for a long time or simply haven’t gone lately to confession, Be Reconciled day would be a great time. The Church looks forward to offering with open arms the forgiveness of Jesus.
And, as part of that confession, be ready to pray the Act of Contrition. It’s a great roadmap away from our sins and back to Christ’s love.