Worthy Penance

Worthy Penance

The fifth virtue is worthy penance, for sins committed.  Because no one can be exempt from sins. And so it is said: "For there is no just man upon earth, that does good, and sins not," (Eccl 7:21).  Therefore worthy penance is necessary, by sorrowing for sins and proposing not to relapse, confessing, and making satisfaction.  And in this way penance makes a man a sheep of Christ. Reason: For a sheep and goat differ.  Because a sheep covers its private parts with a tail, but not so a goat.  Rather it shows everything.  Now you know who is a sheep and who a goat.  All– how many we are – have "private parts" of sins, which, although they are not now apparent, nevertheless on the day of judgment all evils and sins will be out in the open.  Just as the enormous sins of those who are condemned are made evident, and placed on the scale with the parchment, on the face of which the sins are pictured.  O how many hidden evils the dish reveals. Many men and women who now are believed to be good people, who, when they are then seen, it will be said, "Who is he?  and "Is not he the one so religious?"  O for the hypocrite traitor. Same for clergy, laity and women.  But if the private parts of sins are covered here with the tail of penance, then they will not be revealed to your confusion, nor to your shame.

   And note here the example of the squire who confessed in a stable who covers his sins with confession, you understand with the tail of penance.  For thus he covers sin, so the devil will not remember.  And it is no wonder then if they are forgotten by the devil, because they are also forgotten by God.  Authority: "But if the wicked does penance for all his sins which he has  committed, and keeps all my commandments, and does judgment, and justice, living he shall live, and shall not die. I will not remember all his iniquities that he has done," (Ez 18:21-22).  So David says in Psalm 31: "Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered," (Ps 31:1), namely, by the tail of penance. 

   A goat, however, which shows all, stands for the notoriously shameless person, because everyone  knows his wicked life and sins, like wicked clergy, and other notorious cohabiters [concubinarii], nor do they wish to cover it up with the tail of penitence; they are impenitent.  Therefore we should do penance. Now you see why the theme says, "He shall set the sheep on his right hand," (Mt 25:33).  Thanks be to God.  

By St. Vincent Ferrer O.P.
Photo taken from Wikimedia Commons