In Solomon’s Temple, there were two altars. On the outer altar, animals were offered as sacrifices to God, while on the inner altar, perfumes and incense were presented. Likewise, the Christian is a temple, a living temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 3:16). Just as in Solomon’s Temple, the Christian must offer himself to God, both externally and internally. The Christian life should be one of unceasing penance.
Penance is a difficult undertaking, yet it remains essential. Jesus Christ, the spotless Lamb, ascended to glory following His suffering. The servant is not greater than his Master; if Christ endured suffering, we too cannot enter heaven without penance. The Divine Master had nowhere to lay His head, and all the saints followed his example by embracing penance. This was not only practised by those who had lived sinful lives, such as Mary Magdalene, St Augustine, and St Jerome, but also by innocent saints like St Aloysius, St Peter of Alcantara, and many others. Thus, St Augustine himself advises: “Do penance because you have sinned, and do penance so that you do not sin“.
The Catholic Church encourages us to practise penance in a special way during Lent. We should not fear penance, remembering that through it we can atone for some of our failings and prepare ourselves for eternal glory. Choose to guard your eyes, filter your words, or forgo certain comforts as you deem appropriate. Accept your daily burdens with patience and choose not to grumble.
It is wise to deny ourselves now, so that a measure of present suffering may spare us from far greater torment in the future. Penance is also recommended by Our Lady at Lourdes and Fatima as a means for the conversion of sinners. We have all sinned; hence, we must perform penance. For if not by virtue of innocence, then certainly by penance.
