Lent

EVANGELICALS OFTEN proclaim the great joy in having the certain belief of their salvation. On the hand, there must be no greater sorrow than having a certain belief that one is damned with no hope for forgiveness.

Regarding our final destination, we Catholics do not know for certain what shall be the state of our souls in the final hour of the final day.  It is for this reason we must have remorse for our sins, repent of them, and do penance.

The Lenten practices of fasting, almsgiving, and penances together have the threefold fruits of making reparation for our past sins, purging our souls of the desire to sin in the future, and drawing us closer to God in love. The Sacrament of Confession is of course closely linked with all these.

Lent begins Wednesday.  May we sorrowfully repent in that season, while we joyfully hope for Easter.