Psalm 51 ~ Msgr. Daniel Hoye

Perhaps during our reflections during this day of Lent, we could focus on Psalm 51 that we prayed in between the two readings.  “A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.”Somehow the heart has become a symbol of emotion, attitude, or whatever it might be.  Thousands of years ago, it was thought that the heart was the place of all reason and not the brain; it was the heart.  It’s carried over in the centuries where we see it on mugs and t-shirts, “I heart whatever it might be…New York, Mashpee, or Cape Cod.”What the psalm says is that God is not pleased with sacrifices or burnt offerings; what he’s pleased with is a contrite spirit - a humble, contrite heart.  Part of our Lent is to be aware of the presence of sin in our life and to be contrite; to offer contrition and to be assured that no matter what, God is always ready to forgive.