[ Today's Readings ]
be reconciled to God.
LORD you call us to return to you with our whole heart, "with fasting, and weeping, and mourning".
The first step for us is to acknowledge our offense.
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.”
We generally think of ourselves as "good people." We're "nice." LORD, help us to realize that we really do need to repent. Help us to realize all of the ulterior motives for the good things we do. Jesus, you tell us how to recognize and thwart these motives.
But when you give alms,
do not let your left hand know what your right is doing,
so that your almsgiving may be secret.
You help us to remove the worldly reward. You show us that we should only care about the "Father who sees in secret".
But when you pray, go to your inner room,
close the door, and pray to your Father in secret.
Help us also to realize all the good things we fail to do. And do not let us minimize the sins we commit. Only to the degree that we acknowledge our offenses can you thoroughly wash us from our guilt. If we only present you the surface then in one sense only the surface is cleaned. And we need a deep cleaning. In fact, we need a new heart.
A clean heart create for me, O God,
and a steadfast spirit renew within me.
It's true that this seems overwhelming LORD. But you are the one who heals us. You assure us that there is no better day to begin than today.
Behold, now is a very acceptable time;
behold, now is the day of salvation.
You assure us, too, that though it may be a painful process, it is worth it.
Give me back the joy of your salvation,
and a willing spirit sustain in me.
O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.
40 Days - Matt Maher:
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