Lent is just around the bend. In just a few days, we will mark our foreheads with a cross of ashes… “To dust, you shall return.” This remembrance of the shortness of our lives on this earth frames our entrance into this time of change. Lent is an invitation to allow God to turn over and till the soil of our souls; it is a time of penance, of transformation.

It is often advised that we begin and end our Lenten observance by going to sacramental confession. In the Act of Contrition, we pray: “I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin.” One would think that trying to “sin no more” would be enough. But it is not.

He said to them, “Avoid all evil.” (Sirach 17:14)

Once we identify the snares the enemy has laid out for us, we must do everything in our power to avoid them. One of those things within our power is to ask God for help. When we bring our disordered attachments to God’s mercy through sacramental confession, we avail ourselves of the graces needed to avoid those evils. Each time we pray the Act of Contrition, we renew our resolution to try our best. Yet, we need constant help.

“The soul needs food. Jesus in the Eucharist is the food of her baptismal grace. He shall sustain this grace by penance, the Eucharist complement in some way completes our penance, purifying us from our venial sins, and giving us strength in order to live our good intentions to turn away from sin.” (Saint Peter Julian Eymard, A Thought Per Day, June 14)

Confession and Eucharist… healing and grace. Strengthened by these sacraments, let us joyfully enter into Lent.

Let us pray:

My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against you, whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Savior, Jesus Christ, suffered and died for us. In his name, my God, have mercy. (Act of Contrition)