In our sophisticated world, we have pretty much rationalized or excused away evil and sin. We talk about freedom of choice, patriotism, insanity, emotional difficulty, addiction, self-destructive behaviours, dysfunctional families and on and on, but no matter the reasons we may find to explain what we choose to do, evil does exist, sin does exist, and deceit does exist.

We have tended to overlook the reality of sin, anything which breaches our relationship with God or one another. We have overlooked the cumulative effects such sins have on our personality and character. As Christian people we are called to see evil for what it is, not blink, and to comfort it.

Our ancestors choose human willfulness over obedience to God's will. They were rebellious and did not listen to God. We all commit the same sin whenever we do what we want to do even when we know what we want to do is harmful to ourselves or to others, whenever we make ourselves the centre of our lives instead of God.

People thought Jesus was crazy. Why would he give up his career, his security, his stability, his family to wander around being with people with obvious problems? Why not just hide from the evil? Jesus couldn't. He had to share the good news of God's love with everyone who would listen. We are called to try and do the same. We come to church to find the strength to try. May God help us all to try.