The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Psalm 51:17
How often do we come to God broken because of new understandings of how we should be living among our neighbors? During this penitential season of Lent, it is good for us to reflect on how we may have offended God and our neighbors by what we have done or left undone, in thought, word, or deed.
Of course, God already knows what we have done or not done. This psalm reminds us that he wants us to come to him broken and contrite, with the understanding that we need him and are ready to turn to him. God wants us to ask for a clean, pure heart and for him to grant us a willing spirit to sustain us in this life. Then he wants us to praise him and tell our neighbors about him. With God's help, our neighbors may see God in our words and actions.
This psalm seems similar to the Holy Eucharist (Rite One)service: "Ye who do truly and earnestly repent you of your sins, and are in love and charity with your neighbors, and intend to lead a new life, following the commandments of God, and walking from henceforth in his holy ways: Draw near with faith, and make your humble confession to Almighty God, devoutly kneeling."
How great is our God! Instead of punishment, he gives us chances over and over to lead new lives! All we have to do is turn to him, love him, and love our neighbors as ourselves.
Marjie Mack
