"Have Mercy on Me"

“Have Mercy on Me”

As we read the Office and each Friday’s morning prayer, the words “Have Mercy on Me, God, in Your Goodness;” resound with a tremendous echo within our hearts, for they are a challenge to our own sinfulness which needs examined daily.  Who would dare to stand before Jesus the immediate moment we pass from here, saying “I have not been a sinner.”  Yet, hear O child, your sins were forgiven on Calvary.

Psalm 51 becomes the credence of our weakness as with David we all fail in one way or another.  Does anyone have a prophet like Nathan who may confront us when the severe testimony could awaken that which we could continue with just adding to the sin?  

The words continue with; “in your abundant compassion blot out my offense.  Wash away all my guilt; from my sin cleanse me.  For I know my offense; my sin is always before me.”  (Psalm 51: 3-5).

This psalm reminds each that Jesus died and rose embracing our sin so we would be freed from eternal death.  Do we then, need to look back at our past sins over and over?  No!  But being human the awareness that we are susceptible to fail, not because of our desire to do so, but a reminder that we are weak.  The premise that Jesus told Paul regarding the thorn in the flesh he fought constantly was told; “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.”  (2 Cor. 12: 9).  

So Psalm 51 becomes a reminder that when weakness enters into our own humanity, His grace will be there to remove the terror of weakness, and find sufficiency through the Cross we just embraced. 

Each of us just passed through 40 days of Lent, spent time during the Paschal Mystery, and shared the holiest days during the Easter Triduum.  Now with the Mystagogy, the period following the acceptance of the Catechumens into the Catholic Church; Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Communion, and welcomed into the church as a new member of Christ’s Mysteries and holiness becomes a welcomed journey of faith.

Just as the Christmas season doesn’t end until the baptism of Jesus, so the Easter season continues until Pentecost.  Mystagogy also is crucial as a directive to reflect on the most wonderful graces received at Easter.  Those whom have been endowed with the Sacraments will savor these moments ahead; 

Continuing with Psalm 51: “Restore my joy in your salvation; sustain in me a willing spirit.  I will teach the wicked your ways, that sinners may return to you.  Rescue me from death, God, my saving God.”  (Psalm 51: 14 -16).  This is a way to catechize the gifts received at Easter.

Ralph B. Hathaway,   Have Mercy on Me