Copy
The Conversion of St Augustine by Fra Angelico
Psalm 51:1-12

51:1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.

51:2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

51:3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.

51:4 Against you, you alone, have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are justified in your sentence and blameless when you pass judgment.

51:5 Indeed, I was born guilty, a sinner when my mother conceived me.

51:6 You desire truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.

51:7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

51:8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have crushed rejoice.

51:9 Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.

51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.

51:11 Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me.

51:12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit.

 



Today’s lectionary passage reads to me like it was written from a perspective of utter contrition. The words strike at what could be a rather uncomfortable subject. We all sin and err throughout our lives, whether we like it or not. Talking about our mistakes is awkward, to say the least.

In a passage strewn with hard-to-stomach images like transgressions, judgment, purging and broken bones, where can the reader draw comfort? Verse five seems like a good place to begin. This verse on its own can be controversial – in the past, words similar to these have been associated to the original sin and the act of conception. There is no room in this reflection to discuss such issues, and neither am I the person to take you through that discussion. Nevertheless, when read as part of a larger contrite plea to God, it seems to say that to sin is natural to human nature. It is human to get things wrong.

We make mistakes all the time (or at least I do), often without realising or despite our best intentions. Sometimes we are not able to think things through, sometimes we feel driven by circumstance into solutions that are less than ideal.

The beauty of Psalm 51 is in the response to such situations. The psalmist does not seek to make excuses or rationalise a defence for his own errors. He does not say ‘yeah, but…’ Neither does he seek to cover up his own mistakes. Instead, he simply admits his own human failing in the face of the divine, trusting in God’s mercy and desire for the well-being of his creation.

Perhaps this is a lesson one can take away. It can be tough to admit our mistakes to others, or even to ourselves. But what we know in our heart of hearts, we can always bring before God. The burden of failure can be made light, if we acknowledge that to err is part and parcel of human imperfection, if we hope for mercy and wisdom from that which is perfect.


- Gunn Wongsuwan

MET Musings for Lent are devotionals and writings delivered to your inbox each afternoon from Feb. 17 - Apr. 1 (excluding Sundays). 

If you wish to opt out, just drop us a line. If you clicked over from Facebook and would like to sign up, you can do so here.

We are an Affirming Congregation, offering welcome and companionship to all people regardless of sexual orientation or designation.
Facebook
Vimeo
Instagram
Website
Email
©2019, Metropolitan United Church  All rights reserved.






This email was sent to <<Email:>>
why did I get this?    unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences
Metropolitan United Church · 56 Queen Street East · Toronto, ON M5C 2Z3 · Canada