My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit; a heart contrite and humbled…. These words of reconciliation lead us to pray the Act of Contrition, the Confiteor, and when our day ends. We acknowledge the sins we have committed and sins where we failed to give love in some way.

It may hurt to view ourselves as the tax collectors of old; however, Jesus’ parable tells us of the value of humility and the self-examination of our conscience. Unfortunately, in addition to blatant sin, we may view times when we have failed or not tried our best. It takes humility to admit weakness; however, within that weakness and desire for God’s mercy, the Lord makes us stronger in our faith and enables us to move forward to follow God’s plan.

Of what value is the sacrifice of fasting or ‘giving up’ something if we don’t show God’s love to another person in some way? How do we abandon our desires (sacrifice)? We can genuinely sacrifice by giving our time, lending a listening heart, feeding the hungry, running an errand for a homebound neighbor, or perhaps as simple as allowing another to go ahead of us in line. Can we imagine what it would be like if what we view as a sacrifice today becomes part of our very nature/our beings tomorrow? Our response to someone saying “thank you” is always “you’re welcome;” however, perhaps our response should be “thank YOU” as an acknowledgment of God allowing us to give of ourselves to another.

As we approach Lent’s conclusion and our walk to Calvary with Jesus, let us surrender to our Father in humility and open our hearts with sincere repentance for those times we failed to walk the path of love Jesus sets before us.

Prayer:

Merciful God, thank you for the loving and forgiving heart you have for me. As I look within my conscience today, I repent for any darkness of sin I have committed ‘in my thoughts, in my words, in what I have done or what I have failed to do.’ Help me recognize where I have failed so I may strive to do my best to please you. Help me to see your face in those whom I may have been unable to show love and guide me as I walk today’s path with you leading me. Amen.