We know about the gravity of sins committed against marriage – but sadly, many engaged couples start their relationship not with virtue, but with destructive tendencies.

The Catholic life forces us to navigate a sort of duality between the flesh and spirit, which sometimes leads us to absolutize one over the other. Similarly, we are often tempted to absolutize good and evil, treating the latter as substance that preys upon us rather than seeing it for what is: the privation of good. If we wish to rid our lives of evil, then we must put our souls at peace and recognize that we are surrounded by the good that God has created for us.

The opening ceremonies of the Olympics was marred by a flagrant act of blasphemy against Our Lord. This gross act does not inherently degrade the accomplishments of the athletes who compete, but it does provide an occasion to reflect on the place of sports in our lives and the disproportionate place we often give to them.

At times, we may believe our sins are too great for God’s mercy. It is commonplace for us to think we are beyond God’s love, and we compound our sins by losing hope and giving up. This is the exact opposite of how we should feel, for God’s mercy is infinite and it is there if we sincerely seek it.

The world, the devil, and even our own flesh are sources of temptation to sin. So why then do we ask God to not lead us into temptation? Does this mean God is a source of stumbling blocks that may make us fall out of a state of grace?

In our baptism, we renounce forever satan and his works. We are freed from sin. However, out of complacency, we do not appreciate what a vital act baptism is and the importance of putting a life of sin behind us.

The Gospels show us how Our Lord touched the lives of his followers, including St. Mary Magdalene. In her acts of service toward Him, she unveils the pureness of her heart. Moreover, she serves as a model for us all through her great faith in Christ to forgive sins and offer the path of salvation.

In the contemporary world, there are innumerable obstacles placed before those who wish to have a genuine family. The father’s authority is routinely mocked and children are told they needn’t follow their parents’ directives. Yet we know the family is the foundation upon which society is built and that is why we must not relinquish to struggle to maintain its integrity today.