Why Penance?

If you sit on the couch for 10 years eating pizza and beer, you will have increased weight and poor health. In order to erase the weight gained and return to good health, you need to exercise and focus on eating well. Neither of these are enjoyable, but they erase the effects of poor past actions.

The same goes for spirituality. Every time we sin, it has an impact on our souls. While God forgives our sins through the Sacrament of Confession, we need penance to reverse the effects of sin on our character and soul. While you don't need to complete your penance to receive forgiveness for your sins, it is an important part of our rehabilitation from our sin.

Penance is a way for us to actively turn towards God, making up for turning away from God through sin. Approach penance not begrudgingly as a requirement, but with enthusiasm, as an opportunity to grow in holiness and grow closer to God, towards a holier future.