Wednesday of next week, March 6, is Ash Wednesday. With that celebration we begin our annual observance of the season of Lent.

 

The ashes of that day, often placed on our forehead in the sign of the cross, remind us of our sins. They are a stark affirmation of the teaching of St. Paul which states that “the wages of sin is death.” (Rom 6:23) 

 

 On that day, by bearing ashes we proclaim to ourselves and to others that because of sin, each of us shall die and return to dust. But we proclaim as well our faith and hope in the resurrection of the body and its glorification if we are faithful.

 

Our Catholic Lenten practice typically involves two elements. They are the seeking of forgiveness of our sins and acts of penance. 

 

That leads to a question that is sometimes raised. If my sins are forgiven, why do I need to do acts of penance? Isn’t Jesus’s word of pardon enough on its own? What more can my actions add?

 

At the heart of our Christian faith is the reality that by the sin of our first parents, Adam and Eve, the human race broke its friendship with God. 

 

By our personal sins, we too have offended God whose love and goodness are beyond our own nature. As a result, we cannot heal that wounded friendship. Only God can.

 

The death of Jesus on the cross, in the context of His love and obedience to His Heavenly Father, is the manner chosen by God to forgive our sins. In that way our friendship with God was restored. 

 

By taking on our human nature, the Son of God became one of us to renew once more the offer of eternal life. We truly believe that Christ’s death is the source and completeness of the forgiveness of sin. But is there yet more to healing our sinful actions?

 

The reality is that our sins take place in our human context. As a result, they are not only comprised of our act of rebellion against God’s will. They also create damage to be healed in our lives and the lives of others. This is why penance is needed.

 

For example, consider if an argument takes place between a husband and wife. The sinfulness of harsh words is first healed by each saying to the other, “I forgive you” and truly doing so from the heart. 

 

Still, however, the damage of hurt feelings and the pain of that exchange remain buried in each one. More time and actions of repentance are needed to heal each one and the couple. 

 

In the same way, each of our sins leaves a scar on our souls and in our lives. We first need to turn back to God and receive His pardon. 

 

But then we need to show Him and ourselves by acts of penance, of our desire to heal the earthly damage we have brought about.

 

There is something else. A spiritual writer once pointed out that it is part of our human nature to take time and grieve over the damage and offenses of our actions and failures. That sense of time is important. 

 

We typically do not heal, either bodily or spiritually, in a moment. Actions of penance during Lent and over a lifetime work toward our healing.

 

As usual, this Lent the Diocese of Rockford will offer a special day of healing and forgiveness. Be Reconciled Day will be 

 

held throughout the diocese and in parishes from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 10. Confessions will be available throughout that time. Check your parish of course for particular details.

 

Be Reconciled Day will provide a great opportunity for the sacramental forgiveness of God. Our acts of penance will help to heal and strengthen us. Together, they can help us to make Lent spiritually fruitful as part of our earthly journey toward the Lord.