V. The Many Forms of Penance in Christian Life
1434
The
interior penance of the Christian can be expressed in many and various ways.
Scripture and the Fathers insist above all on three forms, fasting, prayer, and
almsgiving,31 which express conversion in relation to oneself, to God,
and to others. Alongside the radical purification brought about by Baptism or
martyrdom they cite as means of obtaining forgiveness of sins: effort at
reconciliation with one's neighbor, tears of repentance, concern for the
salvation of one's neighbor, the intercession of the saints, and the practice
of charity "which covers a multitude of sins."32
1435
Conversion
is accomplished in daily life by gestures of reconciliation, concern for the
poor, the exercise and defense of justice and right,33 by the admission
of faults to one's brethren, fraternal correction, revision of life,
examination of conscience, spiritual direction, acceptance of suffering,
endurance of persecution for the sake of righteousness. Taking up one's cross
each day and following Jesus is the surest way of penance.34
1436
Eucharist
and Penance. Daily conversion and penance find their source and nourishment in
the Eucharist, for in it is made present the sacrifice of Christ which has
reconciled us with God. Through the Eucharist those who live from the life of
Christ are fed and strengthened. "It is a remedy to free us from our daily
faults and to preserve us from mortal sins."35
1437
Reading
Sacred Scripture, praying the Liturgy of the Hours and the Our Father - every
sincere act of worship or devotion revives the spirit of conversion and
repentance within us and contributes to the forgiveness of our sins.
1438
The
seasons and days of penance in the course of the liturgical year (Lent, and
each Friday in memory of the death of the Lord) are intense moments of the
Church's penitential practice.36 These times are particularly
appropriate for spiritual exercises, penitential liturgies, pilgrimages as
signs of penance, voluntary self-denial such as fasting and almsgiving, and
fraternal sharing (charitable and missionary works).
1439
The
process of conversion and repentance was described by Jesus in the parable of
the prodigal son, the center of which is the merciful father:37 The
fascination of illusory freedom, the abandonment of the father's house; the
extreme misery in which the son finds himself after squandering his fortune;
his deep humiliation at finding himself obliged to feed swine, and still worse,
at wanting to feed on the husks the pigs ate; his reflection on all he has
lost; his repentance and decision to declare himself guilty before his father;
the journey back; the father's generous welcome; the father's joy - all these
are characteristic of the process of conversion. the beautiful robe, the ring,
and the festive banquet are symbols of that new life - pure worthy, and joyful
- of anyone who returns to God and to the bosom of his family, which is the
Church. Only the heart of Christ Who knows the depths of his Father's love
could reveal to us the abyss of his mercy in so simple and beautiful a way.
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