Sarai regretted telling Abraham to have children through her maidservant, Hagar. We likewise regret some of the decisions we have made, and we should especially regret our sins.

When we regret our sins, we should not follow the example of Sarai and blame others (see Gn 16:5). Nor should we take out our regrets on others, as Sarai did to Hagar (Gn 16:6). Nevertheless, when we sin, we are inevitably tempted to commit more sins to express our frustration or to try to get ourselves out of the consequences of our first sin.

Sin is going to lead either to more sin or to repentance. In sin, we must repent as soon as possible before we commit the next sin(s). If you had rapidly growing cancer, would you get an operation as soon as possible? If you were bitten by a poisonous snake and deadly venom was pulsing through your bloodstream, would you seek help immediately? When you sin, repent and go to Confession immediately. Don't waste time blaming others or trying to weasel your way out of the effects of sin. Repent now.

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, December 29, 2002

Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 31, 2002