Liturgically, today is known as the Expulsion of Adam; popularly, it is known as Forgiveness Sunday. This reminds us that, as soon as we sin, the Lord forgives us—provided that we truly repent. Part of repentance is giving up our grudges against others, since we are the greatest sinners of all. Part of repentance is an acknowledgement of the unstinting depth of our sin. And yet another part of repentance is a resolution to change, to open ourselves up to divine grace, to let ourselves be who he wants us to be, rather than someone fashioned out of our own imagination, according to our own lights. All of these realities underlie the rite of forgiveness, prescribed for the end of Vespers tonight. In the rite of forgiveness, we acknowledge the damage that we have done by our sinfulness—both to those near and those far. We freely forgive others, no matter who comes asking. And finally, in asking forgiveness, we resolve truly to change our way of living. The saving Forty Days are a chance to make good on that resolution and to change our way of life for the better.
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