Imagine for a moment sitting in prison, or awaiting a life threatening surgery, or heading into yet another round of chemotherapy. We decide to sit down and write a letter to our wife, husband, children, or dear friend.

Timely, then, are the readings for Mass this week, for they are all related to the topics of mercy, forgiveness and judgment. Even this passage from Romans comes in the context of Paul warning the community to be very careful in their behavior towards one another, lest they end up passing judgment on the servant of another (i.e.,God).

The famous writer and Catholic G.K. Chesterton supposedly sent in his response. It read: “Dear Sirs: I am. Sincerely yours, G.K. Chesterton.”

Paul urges us to present our bodies as “a living sacrifice.” This was written to people who, unlike us, were very familiar with ritual animal sacrifices...