What is heavy on my mind this week is Christian Faith formation and Biblical literacy. In general, both aspects are suffering greatly in our culture. Two reasons especially stand out. We are too distracted by entertainments. And second, given an overly sentimental approach to the Faith, we end up being lazy, undisciplined followers of our Lord.

Forgiveness and reconciliation are related, but they are not the same. For reconciliation to take place, forgiveness is a prerequisite. But without something in addition to forgiveness, reconciliation will fail to happen. I will explain.

Last week I wrote about how sin is the reason for all the separation, alienation, and animosity in the world between fellow human beings. This week I want to write about how sin attacks us in at least three ways.

We are going through a period right now that is divisive and heated. The obvious flashpoints have been the pandemic and protests against racial injustice that unfortunately gave way to rioting, burning, looting, and violence. These are the flashpoints. But the undercurrents of the discord have been fermenting for quite some time.