what is the point of "doing" penance?

Answer 1

I learned that we cannot bargain our way into God's presence. Through Jesus, we repent our sins, place them on the cross, and receive forgiveness.

{{{RAMMIE}}}

Answer 2

Penance is the balance of God's justice and mercy. God is all merciful and will admit into heaven any who repent, but God cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance, so penance is how a person pays for the actual punishment due to their sins - whether in this world or in purgatory.

This is why it's not simply that you can do what you want all week and just go to confession to make up for it. You may be forgiven, but you are piling up all that punishment due to sin...and the few "Our Fathers" and Hail Marys" the priest gives you should be considered a "starter pack." There's a lot more to sufficient penance than a a couple of mumbled prayers.

It is interesting that in the original text of the Bible, when Christ says "repent" the term used is "poenitentiam agite" which directly translates as "do penance" implying that it is an action, not simply a state of emotion.

Answer 3

If it's "Three Our Fathers and two Hail Marys" - there is no point at all. That's how it was in my early Catholic days - and it was goofy, in my opinion.

At one point when I was older - I told a priest (face to face - not in a confessional) that I'd disrespected my Mom. He talked with me about how that made my heart feel - and what I could do to make it feel better. I decided that I would be extra helpful around the house for the next few weeks. It served the purpose of ME feeling better about myself - and my Mom knowing that I DID respect and love her. Not so bad.

I'm not Catholic anymore - but I still give myself some penance every now and then when I screw up in some way.

Namaste!

Answer 4

If somoene thinks or believes penance is for earning salvation, he is totally wrong because salvation is by pure grace, an undeserved favor of God. Not grace plus works. Only grace.
Penance can be done when praying for others or to show repentance when you sinned.
Penance is not even for keeping yourself saved. Christ has paid 100 % of your debt before God. You don't have to pay a part for your salvation, I mean final salvation, that is the redemption when all the saved will receive new bodies.

Answer 5

Penance is a sticky subject; part of me thinks that the idea of an assigned price to pay to make up for ills is ridiculous, while another part of me thinks that it is a good idea, as people are unlikely to assign requisite penance to themselves.

Considering all of this, I have to lay such answer at the feet of conscience, and trust that our conscience guides us to make ammends. If the voice of conscience comes in religious guise, I see no harm in that, so long as it is affirming positive change for both the individual it speaks to, and the person ammends are made to.

Answer 6

Liddabet spoke words of wisdom. I prefer to think of some way to make amends to a person I have harmed, as she suggested. I ask God to forgive me, and then get busy letting the person I have hurt know that I am truly sorry by my actions. The price of everything keeps going up, but talk will always be cheap!
Edit: The Doc has a point, and some fine looking legs.

Answer 7

Doing "penance" means absolutely nothing. All you have to do to be forgiven of your sins is ASK. God loves us and he gave His only SON to die for our sins. By trying to "pay" or "do penance" for your sins you are insinuating that you are able to fix your sins on your own. If you ask for forgiveness, God will forgive you. Once you ask and are forgiven (which God is faithful to always do!), there is nothing to "do penance" for any longer.

Answer 8

It shows that you are truly sorry for your sins and you desire to repair the damage you have made in your relationship with God. It is very important to spiritual healing.

Answer 9

To help you in the process of repentance.

Answer 10

soothes a guilty conscience.