It's hard to talk about sin. We all know that we are guilty, but that doesn't mean we want to talk about our specific sins or even about sin in general. If anything, it's easier to talk about others and how far they have fallen so we don't have to think about our own transgressions.

But the start of the Lenten season is a good time to think about our own sinfulness and what God has done about it. In our cover article, Emily Gresens Strey talks about how the imposition of ashes on Ash Wednesday forces her to reflect on her sin and her death—and the hope she can find in the cross. In his second article on sacramental living, Pastor Jon Zabell stresses how living in your baptismal grace can help when temptation strikes. And executive editor John Braun reminds us that no one is immune from temptation and offers thoughts on how the church can help when people stumble.

In the end, we can't be afraid to talk about sin and its consequences. Marlys Reid shares the importance of this when dealing with the sin of homosexuality—a topic that many do not want to discuss. Read about her family's struggles.