February 21/First Wednesday of Lent
A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me. ~ Ps 51.10
Many of us stock our mental (or actual) pockets with “pocket verses” to remind us of the presence and love of God. While there are plenty in the New Testament (“Come unto me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest”), I suspect that many of us look to the Psalms – “The Lord is my strength and my song,” or “My soul clings to you; your right hand holds me fast,” or today’s verse from Psalm 51, which has been a personal favorite since I first encountered it as a young Episcopalian choir girl. Our redoubtable (Lutheran) choir director, Mrs. D, taught us that for a brief instant after the Confession and Absolution, we were free of sin—but only fleetingly. While I don’t know how theologically sound her teaching was, for me, this verse has always expressed that “hinge” moment when I can’t bear the misery any longer and I express my contrition to God, asking for his cleansing grace. The sharp word, the snap judgment, a repeated over-indulgence, inattentiveness to a friend — sooner or later these catch up with us, and we feel uncomfortably soiled with guilt. We cannot heal ourselves, however: we must ask God to remake our hearts and renew our spirits. Notably, the verb for “create” occurs in the Hebrew Bible only in reference to God’s actions, never human ones. It is God’s prerogative to make us anew. As Quaker scholar Thomas Kelly observed, “God Himself works in our souls, in their deepest depths, taking increasing control as we are progressively willing to be prepared for His wonder. We cease trying to make ourselves the dictators and God the listener, and become the joyful listeners to Him, the Master who does all things.”
All-powerful and all-loving God, Animate my spirit with your mercy and love. Amen.
For today’s readings, click here: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022124.cfm
To hear Dame Emma Kirkby sing “Schaffe in mir, Gott, ein rein Herz” (“Create in me, O god, a clean heart”) by Heinrich Schutz, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ys43cYUsPE
