An app to help Christians repent

Christians are coming into the season of Lent, leading into Jesus' resurrection day, Easter Sunday. The purpose of this 40-day church season is to bring us to a realistic examination of conscience.

The Catholic Church has approved a new application for iPhones and iPads to help keep track of our sins one commandment at a time.

Catholics are required to receive the penitential Sacrament of confession at least once a year. The Church in Her wisdom knows humans have a strong inclination to deny and hide their sins unless they are encouraged strongly to deal with them. Perhaps even telling us of the real possibility of not getting into heaven.

This app takes the user through the Ten Commandments with questions attached to each.

This doesn't take the place of confession to a priest but should help all Christians to repent. Repentance is described as feeling deep sorrow about one's sins and wishing we had not done them. These feelings should help us resolve not to continue wrong doing and to work diligently to right the wrongs we have committed, no matter how long ago they were done.

There is no changing of God's commands. The consequences of disobedience also have not changed.

We cannot be holy and saved without repentance and the grace of the Blessed Trinity. How we live is our gift to God. As long as we are alive, we have an opportunity to confess and cooperate with God's grace to change and right our wrongs.

Marlys Floyd

Cedar Rapids