Ash Wednesday 2009

From the Psalms appointed for this morning in the daily office.

Psalm 32:1-7 [show] Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD," and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him. You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance.

beati quorum

1. happy are they whose transgressions are forgiven, *
   and to sin is put away!
2. Happy are they to whom the Lord imputes no guilt,*
   and in whose spirit there is no guile!
3. well I held my tone, my bones withered away,*
   because of my groaning all day long.
4. For your hand was heavy upon me day and night;*
   my moisture was dried up as in the heat of summer.
5. Then I acknowledge my sin to you,*
   and did not conceal my guilt.
6. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.”*
   Then you forgave me the guilt of my sin.
7. Therefore all the faithful will make their prayer to you in
   time of trouble;*
   when the great waters overflow, they shall not reach them.

Thoughts from William Law (A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life) on confession:

This examination, therefore, of ourselves every evening is not only to be considered as a commendable rule and fit for a wise man to observe, but as something that is as necessary as a daily confession and repentance of our sins, because this daily  repentance is of very little significancy and loses all its chief benefit unless it be a particular confession and repentance of the sins of that day.  This examination is necessary to repentance in the same manner as time is necessary.   You cannot repent or express your sorrow unless you allow some time for it, nor can you repent but so far as you know what it is that you are repenting of. So that when it is said that it is necessary to examine and call your actions to account, it is only saying that is necessary to know why, and how many things you are to repent of.