+JMJ
A Contemplative Moment from Psalm 51
Confession
Going to confession is vitally important to the salvation of our souls.
Between confessions, I find it is helpful to perform an Examination of Conscience every evening. This allows me to see where I am lacking and what I need to work on. It also makes it easier the next time I go to confession, as I already have a list of sins that I have been building daily.
After my Examination of Conscience I recite an Act of Contrition to atone for the wrong I have committed during the day.
There are lots of options for the Act Of Contrition. You can find them here.
I use the Jesus Prayer in the Confessional. 😊
But when I am at home I prefer to use Psalm 51: The Miserere:
Have Mercy on me, God, in accord with Your merciful love; in Your abundant compassion blot out my transgressions. Thoroughly wash away my guilt; and from my sin cleanse me. For I know my transgressions; my sin is always before me. Against You, You alone have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your eyes so that You are just in Your word, and without reproach in Your judgment. Behold, I was born in guilt, in sin my mother conceived me. Behold, You desire true sincerity; and secretly You teach me wisdom. Cleanse me with hyssop, that I may be pure; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. You will let me hear gladness and joy; the bones You have crushed will rejoice.
Turn away Your face from my sins; blot out my iniquities. A clean heart create for me, God; renew within me a steadfast spirit. Do not drive me from before Your face, nor take from me Your Holy Spirit. Restore to me the gladness of Your salvation; uphold me with a willing spirit. I will teach the wicked Your ways, that sinners may return to You. Rescue me from violent bloodshed, God, my saving God, and my tongue will sing joyfully of Your justice. Lord, You will open my lips; and my mouth will proclaim Your praise. For You do not desire sacrifice or I would give it; a burnt offering You would not accept. My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit; a contrite, humbled heart, O God, You will not scorn.
Psalm 51:3-19
Contemplative Moment
I use this Psalm as my Act of Contrition because of a Contemplative Moment I had while meditating on it awhile ago.
I imagine Jesus sitting on His throne in glory. He is radiant, beautiful, powerful, surrounded by bright light.
Seeing Him brings me to my knees, pressing my face into the marble floor. I am so dull compared to His glory, so unworthy, so undeserving, so disgraceful, so pitiful.
I am not even worthy to look upon His face.
I begin to recite Psalm 51 out loud through tears of sorrow, keeping my forehead pressed to the floor.
“Have mercy on me, God, in accord with Your merciful love…”
As I recite the Psalm aloud to Him, I hear Him get up from His throne, but I dare not look. I keep reciting:
“Against You, You alone have I sinned…”
I hear His sandals echo on the marble floor as He steps closer. I begin to tremble. But keep reciting:
“Turn away, Your face from my sins; blot out my iniquities…”
He steps closer, but I cannot look at Him.
“Do not drive me away from before Your face, nor take from me Your Holy Spirit…”
He steps closer. I tremble and weep.
“I will teach the wicked Your ways that sinners may return to You…”
He steps closer. He is close enough for me to feel Him now. His power is tangible as it radiates off of Him. The hem of His cloak brushes across my fingertips.
“My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit: a contrite, humbled heart, O God, You will not scorn…”
“Look at Me,” He says.
I gaze up, trembling, to His beautiful face and am completely consumed by His loving forgiveness.
He Knows
The Lord knows me completely. He knows that I fail Him daily. He knows that I struggle with some things more than others. He knows I will inevitably fail Him tomorrow.
Yet…
He still wants me to look at Him. To look to Him for help and He wants to help me in every single moment.
Even when I am too ashamed to look at Him.
Developing the habit of performing an Examination of Conscience and reciting an Act of Contrition with my bedtime prayers has been a very good way to keep myself walking in the footsteps of the Lord.
Thrive In Jesus, my Friends!
Do you have a favorite Act of Contrition? Have you used Psalm 51 before? Leave me a comment and let me know!