St. Paul writes: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Of these am the foremost.” Pope Francis soon after he was elected Pope said: “I am a sinner. This the most accurate definition. It is not a figure of speech, a literary genre. I am a sinner, but I trust in the infinite mercy and patience of our Lord Jesus Christ.” In this age which promotes positive self-esteem these self-confessions seem out of place. Actually, they should serve as a reminder to each one of us of our proper starting place. We are all sinners, in need of God’s grace and mercy. Only after we realize our efforts inevitably fall short of the mark can we turn and throw ourselves into God’s arms.
