Friday is traditionally a day of penitence and reflection. Psalm 51 sets a mood for both. I would like to suggest diving deep into this Psalm today and to reflect with gratitude on a particular reality. On Ash Wednesday, we were reminded that “we were dust and to dust we would return”. But even with this truth, God loves dust! God in his incarnate Son, sacrificed his Glory for dust. Dust has worth! If dust has such worth in the eyes of God, who are we to diminish it!
Today, let us seek God’s forgiveness for our weakness, our failings, our stumbling, our lack of intentional faith…for taking our dust for granted…and at the same time give God thanks for all the blessings with which we have been blessed. Mercy and Grace!
Where do we need forgiveness, right now? Who do we need to forgive, right now? Have the courage to give and receive, right now!
PS 51:3-4, 5-6, 18-19
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.
For I acknowledge my offense,
and my sin is before me always:
“Against you only have I sinned,
and done what is evil in your sight.”
For you are not pleased with sacrifices;
should I offer a burnt offering, you would not accept it.
My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit;
a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.