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Build up others this Lent with your thoughts on the Sunday Mass readings and meditation. Three questions for reflection and discussion will be offered for each of the six Sundays during Lent. Please pray through the questions and share your insights or what the Lord spoke to you in the comments area below. Your words will inspire others in The Word Among Us community and encourage them during this grace-filled season.
Meditation & Questions on Psalm 51:3-4,12-15
Have mercy on me, God, in your goodness; in your abundant compassion… .
We’re only two weeks away from Easter, so now is a good time to ask what kind of fruit our observance of Lent has borne. One way to tell is to see if this passage from Psalm 51 means more to you today than it did when you prayed it on Ash Wednesday. For at the heart of Lent is the promise that each of us can come in touch with the amazing, super-abundant compassion of our God.
It can be so hard for us to believe—in our natural, fallen minds, that is—that God is as good as the Bible says he is. But it is true: When we come to him in humble surrender, he doesn’t remember our sins or rebellion. Instead, he looks at us with love and compassion. He has sympathy for us when we suffer, even if the misery is of our own making.
Think about it: On the night before he died, the Son of God knelt at the feet of created, sinful beings and washed them. So why do you think he won’t wash you from your guilt and sin? You don’t have to earn this kind of compassion. You don’t have to straighten yourself out so that you deserve it. He promised it to you before you were even born.
So run to him! Go to Confession and meet Jesus there. Receive his forgiveness and cleansing. Accept his love and compassion. Remember the prodigal son, whose father ran to him while he was still far off, and threw his arms around him and kissed him. This is what God wants to do for you! This is why he sent his Holy Spirit to dwell in you—so that he might always be able to minister his healing and forgiveness to you. He is such a good God!
“Father, I know it’s not too late! I come to you today and humbly ask you to fill me with your life and love. Help me to focus on your goodness and compassion this Lent, not on my sin and weakness.”
Jeremiah 31:31-34; Psalm 51:3; Hebrews 5:7-9; John 12:20-33
Discussion Questions
1. Share a time when you felt “thoroughly” washed and cleansed (Psalm 51:2) from your guilt and sin. What reassurance did you have that God had forgiven—and forgotten—your sin?
2. What obstacles prevent you from receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation more often? What can you do to overcome these obstacles?
3. Imagine that Jesus is washing your feet. What would he say to you? What would you say to him? How would you feel once you were cleaned? Spend time in prayer thanking him for cleansing you this Lent.
1 of the reasons i dont go to cofession as often as i would like is i like to pick the priests i go to. I have had bad experience with certain priests. If Jesus was washing my feet i would be so excited and i would say i love you and thank you.
I love psalm 51. One of my favorite confession experiences was a few months after 9-11. I hadn’t been in years, and I had several serious things to confess. I finally picked a day. I was so excited the night before that I could barely sleep - a meeting with the merciful Jesus. I assumed that confessions were heard before daily Mass. I assumed wrong, but one of the “church ladies” went and got Father for me. It probably took us less than 5 minutes, but I felt like there was a warm blanket wrapped around me on that cold, advent afternoon. I floated for days.
Obstacles for me: the difficulty of making the alloted 30 minute slot on Saturdays; the lack of awareness of sin - I know I won’t be canonized soon, but sometimes I can’t think of much to say
I would feel so unworthy to have Jesus wash my feet. He would tell me that He came to serve. I would thank Him for His sacrifices and His awesome gift of mercy.
I am so glad the Holy Spirit shows me where I need forgiveness! Everyday I am able to know the Lord’s forgiveness because everyday I need it. The other day I knew my attitude toward my husband was a disaster. I repented to the Lord and not only did he forgive me, he completely changed my heart. Instead of feeling defensive inside, I just was grateful. Alleluia!