Lenten Journey of Conversion Calls for Honest Admission of Guilt

Bees on flowers are sure signs of spring.

On Feb. 18 we Catholics observed Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, a 40-day period of preparing for the joy of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday. Lent is a time devoted to prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and penitence in commemoration of Christ’s fasting in the desert before he began his public ministry.

One of the goals of a Christian, Catholic spiritual life is on-going growth, or conversion. A journey of conversion can make us painfully aware of ways in which we have failed to love God or our neighbor. For Catholics the sacrament of penance or reconciliation is available to provide the graces needed to admit our sinfulness and change our ways so as to grow in holiness. Regular spiritual direction can also help to foster spiritual growth.

Colorful leaves of ginger plants on grounds of Motherhouse in St. Augustine, Florida.

Many years ago I read a book by M. Scott Peck that helped define evil. I had read The Road Less Traveled by Peck and liked that one. This one was called People of the Lie. Peck defined evil as not just harmful actions, but as chronic malignant narcissism and a profound unwillingness to tolerate personal failure. He called these people “of the lie” because they deceive themselves and others to maintain a perfect image, often resorting to scapegoating to avoid responsibility. Peck viewed evil as a form of extreme laziness, where people refuse the hard work of self-examination and growth.

As we continue on our Lenten journey of conversion, may we have the humility of the saints, like St. Francis of Assisi, to admit our mistakes, our sinfulness, and ask for the grace of God’s mercy so that we can grow more and more in love with God, who loves us unconditionally, and so much that he sent us his Son Jesus Christ who showed us how to love.

View of cross atop SSJ Motherhouse on an overcast day in St. Augustine.