Building Bridges Which Have Been Burned

Homily for Ash Wednesday

Pope St. John Paul II wrote, “To do penance means above all to reestablish the balance and harmony broken by sin, to change direction even at the cost of sacrifice.” Using the parable of the prodigal, he emphasized that every character in the story was in need of the precious gift of reconciliation to repair the breach that had been caused by sin. We usually think of the younger son when we speak of sin. By asking his father for his inheritance while his father was still alive, and by squandering that inheritance on dissolute living, the family lost its sense of balance and harmony. However, the older son is just as guilty of sin in that he allowed his resentment to fester, making it impossible for him to obey his father and to welcome his younger brother once he returned. The father, too, is somewhat guilty himself. The norms of Jewish family life called for him to explain to his younger son that his inheritance by custom was one third of the family wealth which he would receive upon his father’s death. Instead, he acquiesces to the younger son’s request and allows the sin of the younger son to drive a wedge in the relationships of the family life.

This very popular and graphic story paints a picture of what happens when sin enters into family and human relationships. Bridges are burned making it impossible to reach the other. Penance, in reestablishing the balance and harmony broken by sin, is the chief instrument necessary for rebuilding those bridges. However, it is not the only necessity.

To this day, the Jews celebrate an annual day of repentance which they call Yom Kippur. On that day, they ask God to forgive their sins. However, on the day before this ritual of forgiveness, each penitent must approach those who have been affected by his or her sin and ask their forgiveness. Only then are they able to ask God’s forgiveness. Jesus obviously knew this practice as he also tells his disciples that before they can bring their gift to the altar, they must first go and reconcile with their brothers and sisters who have been hurt by their sin.

Penance is our way of rebuilding the bridge that has been broken between us and God. However, the most abject penances would be less than effective if we do not first rebuild the bridge between our brothers and sisters. Both efforts are necessary if reconciliation is to be found in our lives.

The Gospels record that the very first word out of the mouth of Jesus is “Repent.” They also record that just before Jesus returned to the Father, he commissioned his disciples to go and preach the forgiveness of sins – that is, repentance – to the entire world. As we enter this great Season of Lent, let us remember that reconciliation is our goal.