One of the things that challenge scripture scholars is where to put the punctuation. The Greek and Hebrew manuscripts don’t include such things. Consider a part of the first reading for Tuesday, March 3rd.

Though your sins be like scarlet,
they may become white as snow;
Though they be crimson red,
they may become white as wool.
If you are willing, and obey,
you shall eat the good things of the land (Is 1:18-19)

Trust me, people know more about these things that me, but…. I wonder if this reading is possible:

Though your sins be like scarlet, they may become white as snow; Though they be crimson red, they may become white as wool – If you are willing, and obey.

Sometimes the path to reconciliation, conversion, and change is blocked by our unwillingness and our inability to obediere – to hear through, to listen to the one who commands, who proposes, who waits to wash us clean.

People hang on to some sins – “It is not that bad a sin, and besides I am basically a good person.” I assume they are indeed a good person. Are we willing to be better persons? Are we willing to listen?