On Ash Wednesday, I prayed at the close of Mass that we all have a spirit of compunction as we engage in the practices of Lent. Afterwards, I wondered if many people understood that word. That thought was immediately followed by a question to myself, “What does that word mean?” I have not used or heard that word in I don’t know how long! Upon reading the details of the conversion of the prodigal son in Luke’s passage for today, my question from Ash Wednesday resurfaced; “what does ‘compunction’ mean?” A quick Google search found a host of synonyms. The list included: contrition, regret, remorse, repentance, and sorrow. The list of antonyms was also revealing: comfort, complacency, content, hardness, self-approval, stubbornness.
Compunction is a very counter cultural word. If that list is not of consciously sought after goals today, the qualities there can often be “settled for” arrangements in our lives today. No wonder the change of mind and heart for the prodigal son stands out as it does in our context. His need for compunction is so clear in his behavior as a ‘spoiled rich kid.’ His journey to repentance is so utter and graphic. He had certainly ‘bottomed out’ in our common jargon.
Perhaps the most significant part of his compunction experience was to make meaning of it as a spiritual call rather than an emotional breakdown. His resolution was an action, not more ruminating. “He got up and went back to his father (v. 20).” His new understanding of himself released new energy for reconciliation. His sorrow, remorse, and hunger, burst forth into his bearing the fruit of a new beginning.
I wonder sometimes why Lent is not a more compelling experience for me in my mission to live Jesus. Perhaps this example of the prodigal son and his compunction holds part of the answer. In our current cultural context, perhaps real contrition and conversion is becoming a lost art. We need to let ourselves really touch that part of us so truly in need of God’s mercy and healing.