In an age of life giving psychotherapy and 'enlightened' sensibilities it is easy to think the word sin something only unenlightened folks would use.  I think it a great loss for ourselves personally and for us as a national and global community.

Can we not say at some level the financial melt down of this country has roots in sin?  Why would using that word seem inappropriate?  Sin is about broken relationship.  Was not relationship broken between human beings in this mess?  I think not using this word ultimately leads to an inability to hold one another accountable and leads to a kind of public 'let's not get too personal' sensibility.  We do this to our communal detriment.  We lose the opportunity for true deepened communal life when we are not honest in this way.

I think the issue is not sin, but what we do when we recognize it.  "Have mercy on me, O God, according to your loving-kindness.  Wash me through and through from my wickedness and cleanse me from my sin.  You are justified when you speak and upright in your judgment. A broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."  Psalm 51 Daily Office, Monday of Holy Week.  This man doesn't need a course on self-esteem.  He needs someone to respect his sense of falling short with God and himself and those in his life.

I have gotten past thinking I am not able to say "Crucify him!" during the Palm Sunday Passion reading.  For I have failed many people over the years- not speaking up when I should have and also speaking when I should have been quiet.  I do have days like the Psalmist.  What I need to recall when I am aware of my sin is the Psalmist's understanding that recognizing our sin, our failure with and toward one another, toward ourselves and God, is not a chance for God to grind us into meal for bread, but a chance to understand the mercy of God, to live from that understanding, and to  exercise it toward ourselves and others

The result of this kind of exercise?  In the Gospel reading for today's Eucharist, we hear of the woman who broke a jar of perfume worth about a year's wages and poured the ointment on Jesus.  When one understands truly the mercy of God, extravagant offering is the norm.

Blessed Monday in Holy Week,

Todd Donatelli