Counterfeit Repentance

God describes somewhat poetically through Isaiah the totality of sin remission: “I have swept away your transgressions like a cloud, and your sins like mist” (Isaiah 44:22). Notice, however, how the passage continues: “Return to me, for I have redeemed you.” God requires that we undergo a metanoia – a repentance that entails a total conversion of heart.

Total forgiveness requires a total repentance. It is only when our contrition extends to all of our recalled and even unrecalled offenses that he assures us that he “forgets” all of those failures, as Scripture reminds us repeatedly. Consider the words of the Lord through the prophet Ezekiel (18:21-22), with special emphasis on the initial “If.” “[I]f the wicked turn away from all their sins that they have committed and keep all my statues and do what is lawful and right they shall surely live; they shall not die. None of the transgressions that they have committed shall be remembered against them.”

The “condition of contrition” is spelled out with more detail in another passage, Ezekiel 33:!5-16: “If the wicked restore the pledge, give back what they have taken by robbery, and walk in the statues of life, committing no iniquity – they shall surely live….None of the sins that they have committed shall be remembered against them.” This implies an intent to not slide back into sin.’

 Thus, one major roadblock to God’s mercy is the lack of a “firm purpose of amendment,” to use an old catechetical term. But it may be asked if “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23), and no one expects to remain sinless for the rest of his or her life, how can anyone have authentic repentance?

The full theological answer is of course, that the awareness of our weakness and of probable future failure is an act of the intellect. The act of the will – that is, one’s intent – is what matters morally. With the will we must sincerely intend never to sin again, even through we know with our intellect that future failures, through presently unintended, may occur.

Perverted minds may try to twist the meaning of that theological statement, but the words of the traditional prayer called the “Act of Contrition” state the truth uncompromisingly: “I firmly resolve, with the help of your grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin.” That firm purpose of amendment is the authenticating feature of true repentance and the key that opens the floodgates of God’s mercy on us.

Resistance to repentance is one abuse, but there is another and more subtle roadblock to being open to God’s mercy. It is exemplified by pious people who have no deep awareness of their impoverished spiritual state – who feel that they have “no sins to confess.” These people can’t understand why Pope John Paul II availed himself of sacramental confession several times every week, as did some of the holiest of saints.

People who “have no sins to confess” might never think of confessing a lack of perfect conformity to God’s will in hardships or failure to embrace generously and joyfully all physical, emotional and spiritual suffering. Neither do they feel the need to confess their neglect of various biblical injunctions, such as rejoicing in insults and persecution (Matthew 5:12); actually loving one’s enemies – not just refraining from hating them (Luke 6:27); lending without expecting repayment (Luke 6:35); not demanding the return of stolen goods (Luke 6:30-34) and so forth. They overlook -  and hence never repent of – hundreds of daily faults they can’t even recognize as faults.

They seem to claim for themselves Voltaire’s cynical statement, “The safest course is to do nothing against one’s conscience. With this secret we can enjoy life and have no fear from death.”*

Saint John gives better advice:

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (1John 1:8-10)

Think about that last sentence: If by sin-denial we make God a liar, that is itself a sin!

Such spiritual arrogance (or, in some cases, the lack of deep insight or self-perception) shows the need for a generous outpouring of the Holy Spirit’s gift of fear of the Lord, a holy dread of offending the majesty of the Deity. “Those who fear the Lord prepare their hearts and humble themselves before him” (Sirach 2:17). Conscience sensitivity reflects exquisite reverence for the majesty of God in the face of our frail human nature

*Voltaire, quoted at www.brainy quote.com

This excerpt is from the book The Awesome Mercy of God, by John H. Hampsch,C.M.F., originally published by Servant Books. It and other of Fr. Hampsch's books and audio/visual materials can be purchased from Claretian Teaching Ministry, 20610 Manhattan Pl, #120, Torrance, CA 90501-1863. Phone 1-310-782-6408.