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.”
A clean heart create for me, O God,
and a steadfast spirit renew within me.
Cast me not out from your presence,
and your Holy Spirit take not from me.
Give me back the joy of your salvation,
and a willing spirit sustain in me.
O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Psalm 51:3-4, 5-6,12-13, 14,17.
We often come to Lent, perhaps with a plan or two, to keep a good Lent. I often say that’s the beauty of the Church’s liturgical cycles … we are always returning to the great truths of our faith, renewing our spirits within each season. And here we are, staring down the long six weeks of Lent. Remember, your friends at Living Faith will be right here, every day, praying over the readings, and trying to pull one golden nugget from each day, to share in our daily devotions.
Today’s Psalm is King David’s great ode to God’s mercy… with its familiar invocation: “A clean heart create for me, O God…” (Psalm 51:12). It really is a perfect prayer. One, I’m sure that God loves to answer! So, let’s keep on asking him!
Before his recent illness, Pope Francis released a message for Lent in this Jubilee, where he mentions, in part, to keep seeking our ongoing conversion:
This, then, is the … call to conversion: a call to hope, to trust in God and his great promise of eternal life. Let us ask ourselves: Am I convinced that the Lord forgives my sins? Or do I act as if I can save myself? Do I long for salvation and call upon God’s help to attain it? Do I concretely experience the hope that enables me to interpret the events of history and inspires in me a commitment to justice and fraternity, to care for our common home and in such a way that no one feels excluded?
Sisters and brothers, thanks to God’s love in Jesus Christ, we are sustained in the hope that does not disappoint (cf. Rom 5:5). Hope is the “sure and steadfast anchor of the soul.” It moves the Church to pray for “everyone to be saved” ( 1 Tim 2:4) and to look forward to her being united with Christ, her bridegroom, in the glory of heaven.
May this Lent be a time to really know ‘the joy’ of our ‘salvation.’ Every day, and every moment, is an opportunity to start afresh. Let’s not miss a day to connect our hearts with God.
