Religion & Law

"These old spiritual practices meant to strengthen our character can help strengthen community. Like any art, spiritual renewal takes practice. As so many wise people say, 'It's easier to act your way into a new way of thinking than to think your way into a new way of acting.'"

Guthrie's column is filled with wise insights about going through the process of repentance. It is worth reading and rereading. The column also got me to thinking about its relationship to Catholicism. Most of the insights are useful to Catholics who avail themselves of the Sacrament of Penance or Reconciliation. But, as the clergy would report, the Sacrament is in "deep crisis." http://www.cathnews.com/article.aspx?aeid=14231. I wonder how much of that crisis stems from anti-clerical premises and how much of it is due to other factors (fear, lack of awareness of sin, etc.).

cross-posted at religiousleftlaw.com