These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.

Wednesday, Week I, Lent

Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 51)
R. A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
For you are not pleased with sacrifices; should I offer a burnt offering, you would not accept it.
My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit; a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
R. A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022124.cfm
Psalm 51 is one of the seven penitential psalms (Psalms 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, and 143). The penitential psalms proclaim that God is merciful and compassionate, slow to anger, and rich in kindness. As Psalm 51 joyfully proclaims, “a humbled, contrite heart, O God, you will not spurn.”