Do not remember against us the iniquities of our ancestors;
let your compassion come speedily to meet us, for we are brought very low.
9 Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name; deliver us, and forgive our sins,
for your name’s sake. 11 Let the groans of the prisoners come before you;
according to your great power preserve those doomed to die. 13 Then we your people, the flock of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever; from generation to generation we will recount your praise.- Psalm 79:8-9, 11, 13
We All Need Compassion And Forgiveness
Today’s reflection comes from the responsorial Psalm in today’s Mass. A couple things that everyone needs are compassion and forgiveness. This Psalm encapsulate this perfectly. We have all screwed up. It doesn’t matter how good you think you are. You may volunteer, say the right things, and help more people than St. Mother Teresa.
These things are admirable, but one thing remains. We are human. We have this thing called concupiscence and we will sin. It isn’t a matter of if, but a matter of when.
A Heartfelt Psalm
This Psalm is very relatable. Read it again. The Psalmist is begging God to not remember our sin and to show compassion and forgive us. This is something that we can all relate too. When we realize what we have done wrong we get riddled with guilt. We are sorry for the things that we have done. The enemy wants us to fall to the depths of sorrow because that is when we are most vulnerable to his attacks.
We have all screwed up but grace is better. The grace of God is greater than anything that we have ever done wrong. Are we willing to receive this free gift of grace? Or are we content with living in the guilt? The sacrament of reconciliation wipes away the guilt of the sin we committed.
I realize that things are restricted right now, but lets take a moment to think about life before the pandemic. What excuses did we make to not go to confession? It doesn’t cost us anything. It is free! I urge you to frequent this great sacrament and live in the grace of Christ.
Saint Quotes
“Fear and honor, praise and bless, thank and adore the Lord God Almighty, in Trinity and Unity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Creator of all things. Do not put off any longer confessing all your sins, for death will soon come. Give and it will be given you; forgive and you will be forgiven. . . Blessed are they who die repentant, for they shall go to the Kingdom of Heaven! But woe to those who are not converted, for these children of the Devil will go with their father into everlasting fire. Be watchful, therefore. Shun evil, and persevere in well-doing until the end.”
–Saint Francis of Assisi
He who knows how to forgive prepares for himself many graces from God. As often as I look upon the cross, so often will I forgive with all my heart.
–St. Faustina
“Forgiveness is the remission of sins. For it is by this that what has been lost, and was found, is saved from being lost again.”
–Saint Augustine
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