Penance

“Be Still and Know that I Am God.” (Psalm 46:10)

Thursday of the Third Week of Lent ~ 3/16/23

Who likes the thought of doing Penance?  That dredges up some very uncomfortable memories from childhood.  There used to be real and swift consequences for our actions/bad behavior!  If we got in trouble at school, as soon as we crossed the threshold of home, we suspected there would be more punishment from our parents (“hell-to-pay”, I believe was a common term? . . . interesting!). Or, even other neighborhood parents who would find out!  A village really did raise us back then!

Today’s Lenten theme was similar to today’s reading at Mass: 

The First Reading tells us of a hard-hearted people – the Israelites who do not listen to God, or His prophets: “Thus says the LORD: This is what I commanded my people:  Listen to my voice; then I will be your God and you shall be my people. Walk in all the ways that I command you, so that you may prosper.  But they obeyed not, nor did they pay heed.  They walked in the hardness of their evil hearts and turned their backs, not their faces to me.” (Jeremiah 7:23-24).  Then He instructed Jeremiah: “Say to them:  This is the nation that does not listen to the voice of the LORD, its God, or take correction.  Faithfulness has disappeared; the word itself is banished from their speech.”

This could be said for today’s world also! Penance has seemingly banished from our vocabulary! Take correction.

Many have defined “freedom” as being free to do whatever they want, despite any consequences to their behavior.  We see it from simple littering and disrespect of property and their attitude toward other’s - all the way to horrific crime against humans and property!  There is little regard for the dignity of the human life . . . from womb-to-tomb.  And property, well, that’s pretty disposable, too. 

There’s not much room for obedience to God with a mind or heart in that condition, a hardened heart.  Much less, is there room for admitting a wrong, and correcting it.  The adage, ‘Do the crime, do the time” could be amended to “Do the sin, do the hell”.  Thankfully, we have been offered forgiveness, which we dealt with in previous blogs, and we know that we must be truly sorry for committing the sin(s), we must be contrite, to seek and receive such a gift. 

But then, there is a penance – a physical or mental exercise which can be helpful in reminding us that we did sin, we were forgiven, let’s replace the negative thoughts or actions with something positive.  Usually an act of charity, or prayer, or service are recommended penances. It should ‘fit the sin’. If you stole something, try replacing it.  If you hurt someone, try making amends.

And, it should be sincere.  Just going through the motions will not cut it – God knows our hearts! I can remember as a child, if one of us (6 kids in the family) hurt another, we had to say we were sorry.  “Sorry” would NOT cut it!  The stern look of our mother, would very soon elicit, “I’m sorry I broke your toy.”  We learned to be specific about the wrong we did to another. It really did make a difference to both the one who was hurt and the perpetrator. Then, there was the awkward hug to help “make it better” - and, it did help.

In a much later chapter of Jeremiah, the LORD again came to Jeremiah with these instructions:

“I have sent you all my servants the prophets, sending them persistently, saying, ‘Turn now everyone of you from your evil way, and amend your doings, and do not go after other gods to serve them, and then you shall live in the land that I gave to you and your ancestors.’ But you did not incline your ear or obey me.”  Jeremiah 35:15

They were, indeed, a hard-hearted people!  Are we much different?  I suggest that you take 5 minutes one day, and just sit and try to listen to the Lord.  He may not say anything.  Go back another 5-10 minutes, listen again.  You likely won’t hear words in your ears – but your heart will begin to soften the more you take the time to ‘be still and listen’. The “being still” can be the most difficult part of this time you set aside.  Set a timer and begin to get a sense of 3 minutes, or 5 minutes, or 10 minutes.  After a few days of practicing just ‘being still’ for longer lengths of time, you might find it surprising to set the timer that just keeps running to see how long you can actually ‘be still’.  Then work on, “Be Still, and Know that I Am God.” (Psalm 46:10)

A possible question you might want to ask God:

“What am I making a god in my life to replace You?  Is it my job?  Is it my wealth?  Is it my things (car, toys, electronics . . .)

This is not intended to be a guilt trip – it is simply an exercise in awareness. 

If you did not think of God before your feet hit the floor this morning, what did you think of? 

If you did not pray before or shortly after you got out of bed, what was consuming your mind or heart?  

If you are looking into your phone or other screen . . . you are likely not looking for God.  (Although, I must admit, my Morning Prayers are on an app I use.)

It might be helpful to start there. By turning our backs on God in these simple ways, it becomes easier and easier to turn our backs in bigger ways.  This is the trail that leads to sinful behavior – and sin leads to the choice to keep sinning or seek forgiveness.  And you know where that leads next? . . Yup, Penance.  It’s a continuous cycle, but it’s called being human.  Be Still – learn how wonderful God is & do not believe the lies that He is mean and relentless – He loves you with an everlasting and unconditional Love – He IS LOVE – He loves you completely.  Why would we want to turn our backs on that and face any other type of god?

May you continue to be blessed along your Lenten Journey.