March 18/Third Saturday of Lent
Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me. ~ Ps 51.4
The paintings that grace the sanctuary of our historic church recently underwent a thorough process of cleaning and restoration (a project spearheaded by the Constant Gardener, my husband, who is as adept at project management as he is at gardening). The scaffolding went up, the restoration experts began their work, and several months later, after layers of accumulated grime had been carefully cleaned away, and some ill-advised over-painting removed, the project was finished. The results were magnificent – the rich reds and warm golds and deep Prussian blues of the paintings glowed, the Nativity and Resurrection scenes were returned to their original conceptions, and most striking of all, the early 19th-century painting of the Crucifixion, the bottom third of which had been covered by altar panels for more than 125 years, was revealed in all its stunning glory. Washed and cleansed, the sanctuary came fully alive. So it is in our spiritual lives. The process of purification indicated in today’s psalm is far more vigorous than the gentle ministrations of the art restorers – the Hebrew verbs signify vigorous, even abrasive cleansing. But the goal is the same: to wash off the stains and soot of our wrongful ways so that we, too, can shine and glow with the love and mercy of God. But just as our church paintings could not restore themselves, we, too, cannot remove the stains on our own; we must put ourselves into the hands of the divine restorer. As Evelyn Underhill observed, “The purifying of the springs of conduct is something which can only be effected by the secret action of God; purging and transfiguring self-centred desire in the flame of disinterested love.” Whether the cleansing is gentle or vigorous, after we submit to it, we may begin again on the path to holiness, renewed and restored for the journey ahead.
Holy and perfect God, Rinse my heart of its stains, and cleanse my spirit with your loving faithfulness. Amen.
To hear the Hereford Cathedral Choir sing Samuel S. Wesley’s “Wash Me Throughly,” click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4niLSQlcBe4
For today’s readings, click here: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031823.cfm
