Daily Retreat 02/08/08
2008 Feb 8 Fri: Friday after Ash Wednesday
Is 58: 1-9a/ Ps 50(51): 3-4. 5-6ab. 18-19/ Mt 9: 14-15
From today’s readings: “Would that today you might fast so as to make your voice heard on high.... Have mercy on me, O God, in Your goodness; in the greatness of Your compassion wipe out my offense.... Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? ”
A Humble, Contrite Heart
Just two days ago, we started the penitential season of Lent, praying the same psalm selected today, which begins, “Have mercy on me, O God...” and is either psalm 50 or psalm 51 (for inessential reasons, two valid ways of numbering the psalms are in circulation). Since there are 150 psalms, it might seem like the Church is lacking originality and variety in repeating the same psalm so soon. But it’s no lack of creativity that led to the re-run of this psalm - rather, it’s the undeniable suitability of this psalm for the whole Lenten season that explains why it comes up, at one time or another, in the lectionary at least once in nearly every week of Lent.
It is, in effect, the psalm par excellence of Lent, so copy it down, and pray it everyday, and learn it by heart - a humble, contrite heart!
Is 58: 1-9a/ Ps 50(51): 3-4. 5-6ab. 18-19/ Mt 9: 14-15
From today’s readings: “Would that today you might fast so as to make your voice heard on high.... Have mercy on me, O God, in Your goodness; in the greatness of Your compassion wipe out my offense.... Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? ”
A Humble, Contrite Heart
Just two days ago, we started the penitential season of Lent, praying the same psalm selected today, which begins, “Have mercy on me, O God...” and is either psalm 50 or psalm 51 (for inessential reasons, two valid ways of numbering the psalms are in circulation). Since there are 150 psalms, it might seem like the Church is lacking originality and variety in repeating the same psalm so soon. But it’s no lack of creativity that led to the re-run of this psalm - rather, it’s the undeniable suitability of this psalm for the whole Lenten season that explains why it comes up, at one time or another, in the lectionary at least once in nearly every week of Lent.
It is, in effect, the psalm par excellence of Lent, so copy it down, and pray it everyday, and learn it by heart - a humble, contrite heart!
posted by FrPitstick | 2/05/2008
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