We pray to you also for the forgiveness of our sins.

Saint Thomas Aquinas and Saint Bonaventure, who disagreed on so much, agreed on the seven principal sins: pride, avarice, gluttony, lust, sloth, envy, and anger.

Each of these tendencies are especially effective at distracting us from and over time separating us from God. Each alone or in varied combinations they leave less space and opportunity for our relationship with God.

At one time or another I have been guilty of each of these sins. Pride has been my most persistent challenge. But repeated failures have significantly lessened my pride, and some combination of faith, discipline, and experience have reduced my temptation to the other sins.

I wonder if my failures may have been gifts of God, divine help in conquering my most serious adversary. If so, I am certainly still in needs of God's help. Despite all, I continue to seek a self-justifying and self-exalting path. I am less aggressive and confident than was once the case, but the tendency persists.

Dear God, forgive us our sins and bring us close to you.