‘Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.’

Those words taken from St. Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians (2 Cor 6:2) are one of the traditional responses used during the season of Lent.

To the Lord, Lent is an acceptable time for our repentance. We are reminded not to put things off for another day.

Lent is a special moment of grace when, with the whole Church, we should seek to acknowledge our sins and change our hearts. Because God wants this of us, we must be convinced that a special Lenten help to be done with sin will be given us if we ask for it.

Lent is also a time of salvation. We are reminded intensely during Lent that our personal salvation is not automatic. Until our last breath and our meeting with Christ to receive judgment, there is still time for us to be saved or to be lost.

Heaven and hell hang in the balance for each of us.

That is why we need more than simply a change of heart. Important as that is, it would be like the baptism of repentance offered by St. John the Baptist. Following the coming of Christ, we are offered something more.

That something more is the sacraments. It is particularly why we need the sacrament of reconciliation.

Jesus died to forgive the sins of the world. Then He left that power of forgiveness to the Church, through the ministry of priests.

“Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” (Jn 20:24).

While all of us need to confess our sins, if you have not done so for years, there is probably some hesitation.

“How do I do it? I’m nervous about talking about those things. That was so long ago.”

Please, don’t let those worries hold you back. The priest who awaits you in the confessional has handled those concerns before and will help you through it.

Just begin by telling him approximately how long, how many years, it has been since your last confession. Then ask him to walk you through it.

To prepare for that long delayed confession, or for any reception of the sacrament of reconciliation, we need some preparation. A good confession is preceded by an examination of conscience.

Our conscience is, of course, not an independent voice of our heart or desires. It is not a personal ability to decide which of God’s commands apply to me and which not. That, sadly, is what sometimes passes for the understanding of conscience.

Instead, recognizing that we have an obligation to heed our rightly formed conscience, we need to quietly examine our lives.

What does Jesus and His Church tell me about how to live? How am I doing in charity and in my moral life? What or whom in my life have I placed before love of God?

How have I given in to the evil elements of our modern culture instead of living as a disciple of Christ? Have I missed Mass on Sunday?

Is my language, my use of the computer or the cell phone, my anger with or disrespect for others keeping me apart from Christ?

This kind of examination is truly healthy for each of us. It may well make us uncomfortable.

Still, the first step in conversion and in receiving forgiveness is to acknowledge that I am a sinner.

It is to acknowledge that Jesus died to save people like me. So turn off the television and the radio. Take some quiet time and prepare your heart and your thoughts for your confession.

Whether it is during one of the regularly scheduled confession times in your parish or on Be Reconciled Day, April 5, please, come to confession during Lent.

It is the acceptable time to come to the Lord.