I leaned online that some people want no mention of sin at funerals. That’s difficult because the beautiful commendation has the line, “Acknowledge we humbly beseech you, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming.”

That reminded me of the book written 45 years ago by Dr. Karl Menninger, Whatever became of Sin? Menninger observed that the word sin has almost disappeared from our vocabulary, yet the consequence of it -–guilt-–is still present in our lives. In his view mental health requires moral health.

The church sets aside the season of Lent to reflect on sin. We don’t do it to wallow in guilt, but to take a step on the road to spiritual health. We think about the things we have done wrong, the things we have omitted to do, and the harmful things we have allowed to happen in our society. But more than think about them, we repent. We confess our faults and turn away from them. We do that with the certain knowledge of forgiveness from the Savior who lived, died, and rose for our sake.

I suspect people resist talk about sin because Christians have often used it to beat others with. Some relish pointing out other’s sins. That’s the wrong approach. As a Benedictine monk explained, dealing with sin is like spiritual house cleaning. You get so busy cleaning your own house, you don’t have time to look at anyone else’s house.

That’s worth thinking about this Lent.

Read 2 Corinthians 5:21 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne