The idea of penance as part of our spiritual practice has been with us from the first days upon Christ’s Ascension.  The Church has always proposed acts of penance as a means of uniting ourselves to the suffering of Christ on the Cross and His walk on the Way of the Cross.  St. Paul tells us that “we are to make up for the sufferings of Christ on the Cross.”  What does this mean?  It doesn’t mean that what Jesus did was lacking in any way or form.  It simply means that suffering is part of the human condition.  While we suffer we are to add to the work of Christ by using our suffering, united to Him, for the welfare of family, friends, the spiritual ignorant, and the confused and doubtful of the Faith!  It doesn’t mean that reducing suffering, or healing it should not be pursued.

Penance is not only a physical act.  It is a spiritual act as well.  Penance is given to us as part of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  Confession admits sin and hurt.  Penances help (simply as token) to “make up for” what we did.  Penance is also important, generally speaking, to keep us humble, recognize our sinfulness, and sharpen our spiritual insight.  Penance and suffering can focus upon our mortality and clarify our purpose in life.

Does God want us hurting and suffering?  He allows it for all the reasons stated above!  Some suffering occurs because of our own sin, physical laziness, and hurtful attitudes.  We inflict much of our suffering upon us.  Sometimes, disease and sickness fall upon us.  We call this our fallen nature, or, the human condition.

So as Lent moves forward, think of your suffering as a means of uniting ourselves to Christ.  Penance, or acts of penance, join us to Christ and can heal us spiritually.  The thing to remember is we are never alone.  God doesn’t abandon us.  He suffered for us!  He knows how we feel and what spiritual comforts we need.  On some wonderful occasions Jesus even allows a complete healing (or sometime a remission) of our suffering and hurt.  This is the time to focus on these spiritual realities:  suffering and penance:  solutions to a perverse and Godless generation.