If we're honest with ourselves, we will have to admit that we may have not been honest with ourselves. This is because, if we had been honest, we would have had to admit that there is something very wrong with us. No good dwells in us (Rm 7:18). We have "the desire to do right" but "not the power" (Rm 7:18).

"What happens is that" we "do, not the good" we "will to do, but the evil" we "do not intend" (Rm 7:19). "This makes" us prisoners "of the law of sin" in our body's members (Rm 7:23). We are wretched because our bodies are "under the power of death" (Rm 7:24). Who can free us from this miserable human condition? (Rm 7:24) Only through Jesus Christ our Lord can we be freed from our self-destructive, fallen nature (Rm 7:25). "There is no condemnation now for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Rm 8:1).

Because Jesus is our Savior, Redeemer, Lord, and God, we center all time and life on Him (see 1 Pt 1:21), and measure years from the approximate year of His birth. On the threshold of celebrating the two-thousandth anniversary of Jesus' Incarnation, totally give your life to Jesus. Love Him with all your heart. Worship Him and tell everyone Who Jesus is and what He has done. Proclaim that " 'life' means Christ" (Phil 1:21).

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, April 10, 1999

Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 16, 1999