April 12.  George raised a challenging issue that had come up a short while ago. “The Vatican, supported by Pope Francis,  has said that those in irregular unions may receive a blessing, as blessings are given by God to whoever asks.  This has started a controversy as some would say that same sex unions, or other irregular situations are sinful and sin cannot be blessed. “ So they discussed the issue of sin and someone asked if breaking your own fast by eating something you had given up for Lent is a sin? Is that simplistic? George replied, “I think that there are many sinful things in other areas of life, big and small, like selling of weapons, corruption, fraud, theft and causing pollution and sexual abuse, that don’t seem to get enough attention. How much fraud has never been addressed from the State Capture disaster.  Are we taking that into consideration in considering who to vote for?  I sometimes wonder where the main focus in the Church is or should be when it comes to sin, justice and to mercy.”   “And blessings!” “I see there is another new document from the Church about dignity. That is one we should study too.”

Reflect, share, pray. Scripture: When Peter and John had stood before the council, Gamaliel warned the council, “Men of Israel take care what you do with these men. If this plan of theirs or this undertaking is of men, it will fail; but if it is of God you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God.” Acts 5:34-42. Pope Francis: Human life is grounded in three fundamental and closely intertwined relationships, with God, with our neighbour and with the earth.   These have been broken, both outwardly and within us.  This rupture is sin.  The harmony between the Creator, humanity and creation as a whole was disrupted by our presuming to take the place of God and refusing to acknowledge our creaturely limitations.  LS 66. Action. Reflect and act on what things in my life I do or should consider sinful?