Why should we do penance?

ASTORY is told about a priest who was walking alone in a dark alley, when suddenly a burly guy sidled beside him and poked a knife at his side. “Akin na ang wallet mo” (Give me your wallet), he growled.

“Anak, nagkakamali ka” (Son, you’re mistaken), the priest said, “ako ang cura paroko dito sa malapit na parokya” (I’m the pastor of the nearby parish).”

* * * Upon hearing this, the hold-upper changed his tone and sheepishly said, “Ah sorry, Father.”

Wanting to befriend the guy, the priest offered a cigarette. To which he replied: “Sorry, Father, cuaresma ngayon; ako’y nag aayuno sa paninigarilyo” (Father, it’s Lent and I’m fasting from smoking).

* * * The guy’s Lenten fasting is admirable but he is engaged in hold-upping.

Because of our human weaknesses and double-standard piety, we are exhorted to do penance or make reparation, especially in this season of Lent.

* * * Some years ago, I remember what an accountant-friend confided, “Father, in my profession I can’t help reducing the tax account of my clients so they pay lower income taxes. If I don’t do it, I lose my job. I feel remorse of conscience. So, like in accounting, I balance my sins by making up through almsgiving, extra prayers, and sacrifices.

* * * Something like “debit-credit...” “Equals kupit?” I cut in jokingly. “No,” he replied, “debit minus credit equals zero balance.”

He meant that we should balance our debits (sins) with our credits (penance, good works), thus make a 0-0 spiritual account. * * * The homespun analogy brings home a timely lesson. We’ve been so hounded by remorse of past sins like stealing, giving or accepting bribes, sowing intrigues, maintaining illicit relations, that we feel we must make reparation.

*** In the gospel, we read about Zacchaeus, a senior tax collector and a model for BIR officers and personnel. He humbly admitted his dishonest acts and told the Lord he was sincerely making reparations for them. (Read Luke 19,1-10). For this the Lord who was touched by his repentance, said, “Salvation has come to this house today.”

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Some of you might say: “But if God keeps on forgiving wrongdoers, they will abuse and keep committing the sin. Anyway, I will be forgiven!’”

In certain episodes of the gospel, however, we see that the Lord expected sinners not only to be sorry but also to stop sinning and reform. For instance, to the paralyzed man whom he cured near the pool of Bethesda, Jesus said, “Don’t sin again, otherwise something worse will happen to you.” (Jn 5,14).

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And to the woman accused of adultery whom he saved from stoning to death, the Lord told her, “Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more” (Jn 8,11).

So it’s clear that the Lord wants us to reform and make amends. And this annual Lenten season is an opportunity to do just that.

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ACTION: Ask pardon from the Lord for all your failings and transgressions by availing of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

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THE LIGHTER SIDE. One form of penance in Lent is the endurance of ordinary sufferings. For instance, a husband, who had been quarreling with his wife, came home from church and suddenly lifted his wife and carried her around.

The startled wife said, “Why did you do that? Did the priest tell you to be romantic?” “No! He told me to carry my cross!” the husband replied. ***