During the observance of Yom Kippur, our Jewish brothers and sisters remind us of the high duty of admitting, "I am a sinner." They recall how the prophet Nathan confronted even the great King David, after his hideous sin against the brave, loyal and noble Uriah, with a story about an injustice toward a poor man.
It seems all so nostalgic. This understanding that we needed to repent and reform was not confined to any particular religion: We Americans of all faiths, or no faith, used to proclaim days of repentance as a nation, especially in times of trauma.
Might I propose that not only our Jewish neighbors but all of us need such repentance? The world sure does; America needs it; you do; and I certainly do.
As a priest for almost 49 years, it bothers me that we Catholics have lost some gusto in this biblically based tradition of admitting our sins and asking for God's forgiveness. We used to abstain from meat every Friday, and fast during the 40 days of Lent.
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