“Have mercy on me, oh God, in your goodness and immense compassion, blot out my offense”
(Psalm 51, V. 3)
The time has come to believe in Love and rise above our weaknesses, not by virtue of repressing guilt, but by virtue of the transforming dynamics of Love. This is in the name of the main revelation brought by Jesus, about the eternal and gratuitous love of God the Father for each one of us.
As Psalm 51 tells us so beautifully, acknowledge in all humility and trust our radical impotence. We do this without fixating obsessively on our condition as sinners. But rather, we fix our gaze upon God who is merciful and understanding, and that we are never denied His love and tenderness.
If I am frailty and He is Mercy; then salvation consists of moving out of myself on the wings of confidence. I must become like a little piece of clay and place myself humbly and submissively into His hands and repeat constantly, “wash me” (v. 9), “purify me” (v. 4), “cleanse me” (v. 3), and “create a new heart in me” (v. 12). This is what Psalm 51 is all about it. I must remain focused on the infinite spaces of mercy rather than on the dark aspects of my being.
Let my soul, which was downtrodden by sadness and shame, now, having been visited by Thy Mercy, be able to drink the fresh waters of gladness. (v. 10 My God, touch my innermost being, and make me a new creation. You, who are omnipotent, replicate in me the miracle of the first dawn of the world. Renew and recreate me, as if freshly made by Your hands. Place in the depths of my intimacy a new heart, overflowing with goodness and meekness, patience and humility and cover it with the strength of steel (v. 12).
Free me from the snares, chains and claims coming from my egoistic self. You who are my only freedom and You will see how my mouth will speak of Your saving power to the ends of the earth (v. 16).
I know very well that a contrite, poor and humble heart, my God, You will not despise (v. 19). The only thing I can offer You, the greatest homage I can give You, is to believe above all in Your tenderness and throw myself knowingly and trustingly into Your arms.
From the book “Psalms for Life” from Father Ignacio Larrañaga.
