Penance is the Only Pathway to God
The following sermon was proclaimed by the Most Reverend Monsignor Sebastian, Priestly Society of Christ the King, SSCR:
All things have their season, and in their times all things pass under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted. A time to kill, and a time to heal. A time to destroy, and a time to build. A time to weep, and a time to laugh. A time to mourn, and a time to dance. A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather. A time to embrace, and a time to be far from embraces. A time to get, and a time to lose. A time to keep, and a time to cast away. A time to rend, and a time to sew. A time to keep silence, and a time to speak. A time of love, and a time of hatred. A time of war, and a time of peace (Ecclesiastes 3:1 – 8).
THIS morning we begin the pre-Lenten season of Septuagesima: for the next three Sundays we must prepare for the Lenten observance, in order that we may fully enter into this holy and spiritually profitable time. This season is the most drastic when it comes to Liturgical changes: as we witnessed before Holy Mass the Alleluia has been solemnly buried, as it shall not be prayed or sung again until the morning of the Vigil of Easter. This makes the return of the Alleluia at Easter all the more dramatic and joyful, as it shall rise again with the Saviour. From the first words of our Introit at Holy Mass, taken from the 17th Psalm, we pray: the sorrows of death surround me, the sorrow of hell encompassed me: and in my affliction I called upon the Lord, and He heard my voice from His Holy Temple. The Church reminds us by the words of the Holy Prophet King David that our sin is sorrowful to us because it afflicts our spirit and body, and therefore we must call upon the mercy of God. The readings of today’s Holy Mass are indicative of this spiritual death and our need for God’s power of restoration: Graciously hear, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the prayers of Thy people, what we who are justly afflicted for our sins, may be mercifully delivered by Thy goodness, for the glory of Thy Name (Collect). We are again vested in purple, the traditional colour of penance. Therefore, let us speak this morning of penance and preparation.
Penance is an act that requires self-awareness: we must acknowledge our sinful acts, thoughts and behaviour, be truly sorry for them, and then, most importantly refrain from them forevermore. The habit of sin is a serious defect and quite difficult to overcome; as I have often taught you, the habit of sin can only be overcome by the habit of grace: we must put aside sin and take up grace. S. Paul, the Apostle, reminds us that we are to put on the armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the deceits of the devil. For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood; but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the high places. Therefore take unto you the armour of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and to stand in all things perfect. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of justice, and your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace: in all things taking the shield of faith, wherewith you may be able to extinguish all the fiery darts of the most wicked one. And take unto you the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit (which is the Word of God). By all prayer and supplication praying at all times in the spirit; and in the same watching with all instance and supplication for all the saints (Ephesians 6:11 – 18).
The great spiritual writer Dom Lorenzo Scupoli (d. 1610) tells us that Penance is the only pathway to God, once we have been separated from Him by sin… The punishment due to mortal sin is eternal damnation, and irrevocable banishment from the sight of God if one does not repent (Thoughts on Penance).
The necessity of penance also requires a firm hatred of sin by the penitent, both of mortal and venial sin, and the atonement for sins committed. Penance, after prayer, is the most efficacious means of cleansing our soul of past faults, as well as preventing the reoccurrence of those sins in the future. True penance is a supernatural virtue because it corresponds to Justice, which will lead to the hatred of sin, which offends the infinite majesty of God. In addition it increases our resolve to avoid any and all future sin, and aids us in atoning for sin, that is, contrition for sin, which is absolutely necessary. Lastly, concerning penance, let me remind you all that when we confess our sins in the Sacrament of Penance, we must absolutely avoid saying things such as “the usual” or “you know,” regardless if your Confessor knows you and your sin or not; you are not addressing Father So-and-So, but Christ Jesus in the person of His Priest and your Judge. Humility and seriousness are absolutely necessary for botha valid and effectual sacramental Confession, and if you do not take these proper steps you are not making spiritual progress and resisting God’s grace.
Preparation begins with careful thought and consideration: pray to the Lord the Holy Ghost that you might be enlightened by His grace as you carefully prepare your soul for true conversion. Would any of us take an important examination without first studying and being prepared? Would we be an effective team player without practice and preparation? If we can be so diligent in such fleeting things how much more should be we prepare for heaven: Know you not that they that run in the race, all run indeed, but one receiveth the prize? So run that you may obtain. And every one that striveth for the mastery, refraineth himself from all things: and they indeed that they may receive a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible one. I therefore so run, not as at an uncertainty: I so fight, not as one beating the air: But I chastisemy body, and bring it into subjection: lest perhaps, when I have preached to others, I myself should become a castaway (I Corinthians 9:24 – 28), so says the Apostle.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. We love you. Save souls. Amen.
