The need for reconciliation is at the heart of the Gospel message, and it is at the heart of Twelve Step recovery as well. Without reconciliation, a right relationship with God -- and peace of mind -- is not possible.

It is precisely into a place of woundedness, failure, fear and brokenness that Jesus wants to come. Faith is not about certainty; it is about vulnerability. It is about having the courage to let Jesus into our screwed up lives, the courage to be loved for who we really are.

This myth justifies hardheartedness (or often condescending paternalism) toward those whose poverty must be their own fault, and it allows those who believe it to congratulate themselves for their hard work and responsible life choices.

Through much of my adult life, I tried so hard to please. Then, one day, I realized no one was watching. Correction! I realized I was no longer watching.

Grace is God as heart surgeon, cracking open your chest, removing your heart -- poisoned as it is with pride and pain -- and replacing it with his own. Rather than tell you to change, he creates the change.

God doesn't expect us to be perfect -- we are human. If we were perfect, there would have been no reason for God to give God's Son for us. But God does expect us to forgive and to seek forgiveness.

Pious readers encountering this question may be shocked or offended. It borders on being disrespectful, even unseemly. Yet that's the question that kept coming to mind as I read the passage many preachers will be dealing with this coming Sunday.