Immense Benefits from Small Acts

"Merciful Father, may our acts of penance bring us your forgiveness, open our hearts to your love and prepare us for the coming feast of the resurrection …. " (Opening Mass Prayer in Lent)

I am reminded that God our Father is a merciful God. What a consoling and healing truth! Our Lenten acts of penance although insignificant in themselves produce immense spiritual benefits. Just as Namaan the leper was healed of leprosy by dipping himself seven times in River Jordan, so do our acts of penance capable of bringing forgiveness, healing from sin and opening our hearts to God's love.