THE CALL TO MUCH PENANCE

Divine Appeal Reflection - 214

Today, consider in Divine Appeal 214:  "I call everyone to prayer and to do much penance. "

Our Adorable Jesus does not call us to penance to burden us but to free us. In a world that avoids suffering at all costs, He asks us to embrace it—not for its own sake, but because love is proven in sacrifice. Penance is not just about fasting or physical discomfort; it is about letting go of whatever keeps us from Him. It is about choosing humility when pride wants to speak, patience when frustration rises, and trust when fear takes hold. The Catechism reminds us that true conversion happens in the heart first, and from that place, penance overflows into our actions (cf. CCC 1430). Much penance is not a one-time act, but a daily decision to love Him more than our own comfort.

The saints had a profound understanding of this, and their examples demonstrate to us that penance is love in action rather than suffering. Saint Francis of Assisi sacrificed everything because he wanted nothing to divert his attention from God, not because he hated the world. Despite her physical weakness, Saint Thérèse of Lisieux made the decision to smile while making tiny sacrifices every day. Saint Ignatius of Loyola, once a soldier, turned his suffering into strength, training his soul as he once trained his body (cf. Romans 12:1). Their penance was not about extremes; it was about giving everything to God, whether in great acts or in small unnoticed moments.

But much penance is not just for saints—it is for us, here and now, in the ordinary struggles of life. It is biting our tongue when we want to argue. It is choosing kindness when we are exhausted. It is carrying life’s disappointments without resentment, offering them silently to Jesus. Saint Gemma Galgani bore physical suffering with grace, but she also showed us that even in hidden pain, there is power. Saint Dominic prayed through the night, not for himself, but for souls he would never meet. Every sacrifice, seen or unseen, has value when given with love (cf. Colossians 1:24).

So when Jesus calls us to much penance, He is really inviting us into deeper love. Although He is aware of our problems, He desires that we give them to Him, allowing our miseries to become sacrifices and our wounds to become prayers. (cf. 2 Timothy 2:12) He promises that we will partake in His glory when we share in His suffering. Thus, let us react with open hearts, accepting penance rather than avoiding it, understanding that every sacrifice—no matter how minor—brings us one step closer to the Heart of our Adorable Jesus.

Prayer

Our Adorable Jesus, You who turned suffering into love, teach us to do the same. In our struggles, help us to see an opportunity to love You more. May our sacrifices, big or small, bring grace to the world. Strengthen us to choose holiness over comfort, and love over self. 

Sr. Anna Ali of the Most Holy Eucharist, intercede for us.