February 11, 2005

Feb 11, 2005 A Clean Heart Ps 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 18-19

R A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
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.

R A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
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."

R A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
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.

R A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.

The 51st Psalm is the reading for today's Mass. All outward and superficial offerings to God are meaningless without a sincere and humble heart. In the flury of the world, it is easy to not see an act that was a sin. It is important to have the time to recollect what occurred during the day in order to be aware of my failings.