Guest Post on Ash Wednesday: PROACTIVE REPENTANCE by Fr. Tom Collins

Return of the Prodigal Son 
by Pompeo Batoni 1708-1787

Editor's comment: I'm always pleased when Fr. Collins sends me one of his wise and insightful articles. This one seems especially appropriate as we begin Lent. Growth in the spiritual life begins with acknowledging our sinfulness and repenting. A relationship, damaged by sin, requires repair and that can only happen if we acknowledge our responsibility and seek forgiveness. The Father of the prodigal son stood in the doorway looking down the road, and he waited. It took the son's recognition of his own sinfulness and his return in repentance before forgiveness and restoration could happen. So let us begin Lent on our knees, confessing our sins, doing penance, and making a firm purpose of amendment. With the help of God's grace, all things are possible, including changing our stubborn and rebellious hearts. My Jesus, help me to make a good Lent drawing closer to your Sacred Heart and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Amen.

Fr. Tom Collins: Overcome Evil by Embracing Authentic Repentance

"If you didn't want me to sin, why did you give me that woman, God?"

Editor's note: Fr. Tom raises important issues in this post. Do you have a sincere conscience or a "sin-seared" conscience? How do you form your conscience -- by the opinions on The View and Good Morning America or by the dogmatic teachings of the Church? Unless each of us examines his life with a well-formed, sincere conscience, he can never overcome his evil actions or avoid the appeal of seductive temptations. Rationalization has been man's weakness since  Adam pointed his finger at God and said, "The woman you gave me, she gave me the fruit and so I ate it." We are all tempted to rationalize and imitate Adam saying, "You made me do it, God! It's your fault!"