23/02/2026
Spirit of the Lenten Season, by Father John Hardon (Part Two)
Reparation for Sin. In practicing penance, we should keep in mind that there are two levels of reparation we are to practice, for our own and other people’s sins. We are to expiate the guilt incurred by failing in one’s love for God. And we are to repair the harm done by disobeying the will of God.
On the first level, our penance should be the practice of a deeper and more generous love for God
By making acts of divine love.
By doing our ordinary work with more selfless love for God.
By putting our heart more sincerely into whatever we are doing, and periodically telling our Lord we are doing it out of love for Him.
By deciding before Lent, what form(s) of charity I will practice towards those with whom I live or work. There is no more pleasing love of God, as expiation, than the selfless love of others whom God puts into my daily life.
By going through the spiritual and corporal works or mercy, and selecting one or more on which I wish to concentrate during Lent, as my form of penance-as-love, offered to the loving but offended God.
On the second level, our penance should strive to endure some pain in order to expiate the sinful pleasure that is always the substance of sin. This can take on a variety of forms, and no two people are the same in this matter. The following are merely examples.
More frequent reception of the Sacrament of Penance during Lent.
More frequent attendance at Mass.
Less time spent in eating, or eating less food, or getting up earlier than usual.
Sacrifice of some hours per week that would otherwise have been spent in watching television, listening to the radio, reading secular newspapers, magazines, or fiction.
Walking, instead of driving, and walking upstairs instead of using an elevator.
Doing without some delicacy at table, or not eating between meals.
Getting up promptly in the morning, and retiring in good time at night.
Answering letters or writing to persons who would appreciate hearing from us.
Gauging one’s time in telephone conversation or conversation in general.
