Ash Wednesday
R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
Written by Gemma Wildsmith
This psalm was written by David after the prophet Nathan came to confront him about the debacle with Bathsheba. It’s a psalm of repentance, but also one of hope, and for me it sums up the feeling of the whole season of Lent. Like David, we need to take time to reflect on our own weaknesses and limitations, the things that lead us away from God and towards sin. It’s important to name and take responsibility for our sin, acknowledging that we’ve fallen short of the life that God created us for. Rather than feeling condemned or abandoned, which can sometimes happen when we’re confronted with our own darkness, the experience of God’s mercy should lead us to praise His Name, and to be determined, with His grace, to move forward with a renewed and steadfast spirit within us.
We each need to go through this very personal journey over Lent in order to arrive at Holy Week and Easter ready to celebrate the events with solemnity and joy. To grasp the true gravity of the situation - the fact that the Son of God suffered and died for you and me, we must be aware of our own sinfulness. Only then can we receive God’s mercy and forgiveness in the very depths of our being, leading us to celebrate Jesus’ triumph over death and proclaim along with the Church, “O happy fault of Adam, that gained for us so great a redeemer!”
What is God’s invitation for you this Lent? Where in your life do you need to experience His mercy? On what areas of inner darkness does God want to shine His light so that you can fully celebrate the resurrection at Easter?
Gemma is a Catholic missionary based in Coventry, England. Her passion is accompanying others on the journey of faith through spiritual direction, mentoring, writing, and speaking. She loves starting her day with a good cup of coffee, and taking long walks in the countryside.
Pray with today’s psalm.