September 11. That date will always be associated in the minds of Americans with evil. While the enormity of that sin is obvious for all to see, the power of sin is also at work in our lives in a less dramatic fashion. That is why the call to repentance is such an important part of the message of Jesus. “There will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” But in order to heed the call to repentance we first have to acknowledge our need for God’s grace and mercy. The human tendency is to excuse, to rationalize our behavior. Genuine repentance requires a fearless moral inventory. St. Paul, for example, does not excuse his behavior. “I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and arrogant, but I have been mercifully treated because I acted out of ignorance in my unbelief.” The Apostle was ignorant of the wideness of God’s mercy, that God could not be fit into his doctrinal box. The Apostle was ignorant of the preciousness of every human life that required treating everyone with respect. And that ignorance led to grave sin. Are there areas in my life where I betray a similar ignorance?