#contriteheart

“My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise” (Psalm 51:17). A "contrite heart" means a heart that is humbled by and genuinely sorry for its sins and wrongdoings. It signifies deep remorse, a sincere repentance, and a willingness to turn away from sin and toward God. This state involves a humble surrender and dependence on divine mercy, and is seen as a mark of true faith. 

Humble remorse: A contrite heart acknowledges its sinfulness, failures, and wrong actions with deep sorrow and humility. It understands the consequences of sin and the offense it causes against God.

Genuine repentance: It is more than just feeling bad; it involves turning away from sin and making a conscious choice to change direction.

Surrender to God: This type of heart surrenders its own will and desires to God's will, seeking reconciliation and divine guidance rather than trying to justify itself.

Oh, heed my plea, though pride once barred the way, And stubborn words like iron stood between. Now shadows fall, and fades the wrathful day— I come with humble heart, my fault unseen.

No more shall folly chain my tongue to spite, Nor bitter silence chill the air we breathe. Let mercy melt the ice of severed night, And hands once clenched in wrath now gently wreathe.

For peace is sweeter than the fight was strong, And love outlasts the tempest’s fleeting cry. I lay my weapons down, confess my wrong— No shield but sorrow held when you drew nigh.

Then take this offering, my whispered cease, And grant the wounded soul thy perfect peace.

Lectionary: 221

Reading 1

Isaiah 58:1-9a

Thus says the Lord GOD: Cry out full-throated and unsparingly, lift up your voice like a trumpet blast; Tell my people their wickedness, and the house of Jacob their sins. They seek me day after day, and desire to know my ways, Like a nation that has done what is just and not abandoned the law of their God; They ask me to declare what is due them, pleased to gain access to God. "Why do we fast, and you do not see it? afflict ourselves, and you take no note of it?" Lo, on your fast day you carry out your own pursuits, and drive all your laborers. Yes, your fast ends in quarreling and fighting, striking with wicked claw. Would that today you might fast so as to make your voice heard on high! Is this the manner of fasting I wish, of keeping a day of penance: That a man bow his head like a reed and lie in sackcloth and ashes? Do you call this a fast, a day acceptable to the LORD? This, rather, is the fasting that I wish: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; Setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke; Sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless; Clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own. Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your wound shall quickly be healed; Your vindication shall go before you, and the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer, you shall cry for help, and he will say: Here I am!

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 18-19

R. (19b) A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn. Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense. Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me. R. A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn. For I acknowledge my offense, and my sin is before me always: "Against you only have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight." R. A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn. For you are not pleased with sacrifices; should I offer a burnt offering, you would not accept it. My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit; a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn. R. A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.

Verse Before the Gospel

Amos 5:14

Seek good and not evil so that you may live, and the Lord will be with you.

Gospel

Matthew 9:14-15

The disciples of John approached Jesus and said, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast much, but your disciples do not fast?" Jesus answered them, "Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast."

Psalm 34:18 “The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”

On this Lord’s Day, it should be that we take the time to thank God for all that He has done for us.

God allows us to be broken. He sees the road ahead and knows the difficulty, tragedy, loss, and pain. Because He is Sovereign, He could allow us to detour the storm ahead. Because He is…