... Have Mercy on Me, A Sinner

Needing to touch base now and again, it is important both for groundedness, ontologically speaking, and for one's life of prayer (though, at bottom, they are one and the same, of course) to remember that one is most certain of one's "righteousness" when one is falling prey to the logic of the primitive Sacred. That is, when you think you have found a certifiable "bad guy", upon whom you can "get rid of your sins on the cheap" (Gil Bailie) by pointing the accusing finger at him. It feels at that moment as though fear of one's own sins being found out is magically gone in direct proportion to the amount of evil I can attribute to the scapegoat upon whom I am piling more and more evil.

The antidote to this "satanic" mode of human "being" is hearing the "cock crow" [Lk 22,34] as Saint Peter did, and feel utter remorse and contrition for one's own sin and guilt. Our Lord in his mercy -- as opposed to other deities whose followers believe they have no such quality in their nature -- understands our fallen human condition and our need for forgiveness. He not only withstood the grinding ordeal of the Paschal Mystery for our salvation, but continues to be present with us and help us be absolved of sin and guilt through the Church's Sacrament of Reconciliation (Penance, "Confession").

It is clear, reading headlines, browsing the web, talking with colleagues, friends, and family that elements of the primitive Sacred's scapegoating mechanism are and perhaps always be a part of our lives -- from the realpolitik of presidential campaigns and the clash between the Scimitar and a dying West, down to church committee meetings and PTO skirmishes. (Sigh.)

The great battles may never be fought against with lance and shield. The great battles may be fought in one's soul with a prayer for a sword: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner."