Today is the first Friday of Lent. 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. Two days ago 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…and at the same time give God thanks for all the blessings with which we have been blessed. Mercy and Grace!
PSALM 51A Heart Contrite and Humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
Have mercy on me, God, in your kindness. In your compassion blot out my offense. O wash me more and more from my guilt and cleanse me from my sin. My offenses truly I know them; my sin is always before me. Against you, you alone, have I sinned; what is evil in your sight I have done.
That you may be justified when you give sentence and be without reproach when you judge. O see, in guilt was I born, a sinner was I conceived. Indeed you love truth in the heart; then in the secret of my heart teach me wisdom.
O purify me, then I shall be clean; O wash me, I shall be whiter than snow.
Make me hear rejoicing and gladness,that the bones you have crushed may revive. From my sins turn away your face and blot out all my guilt. A pure heart create for me,
O God, put a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence, with a spirit of fervor sustain me, that I may teach transgressors your waysand sinners may return to you. O rescue me, God, my helper, and my tongue shall ring out your goodness.
O Lord, open my lips and my mouth shall declare your praise. For in sacrifice you take no delight, burnt offering from me you would refuse; my sacrifice, a contrite spirit. A humbled, contrite heart you will not spurn.
In your goodness, show favor to Zion: rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Then you will be pleased with lawful sacrifice, holocausts offered on your altar.
