"Because I could"

He was the nation’s leader and when he saw a particular woman he thought attractive, he had her brought in and he bedded her.

Then followed the cover-up, the abuse of power, and the death of a loyal soldier.

Why would he do it?

The most obvious answer to the scandal in today’s first reading (from 2 Samuel 11) can be found in another national leader's explanation of his own sex scandal thousands of years later:

“I think I did something for the worst possible reason -- just because I could.”

You and I are likely never to be as famous and powerful as Bill Clinton or King David, but we are certainly subject to the same basic temptation: to realize that we can do something and can probably get away with it.

Of course, we can never “get away with it” – for all sin is an offense against God, who sees everything.

Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness;
in the greatness of your compassion
wipe out my offense.
Thoroughly wash me from my guilt
and of my sin cleanse me.