A Lenten Word - Contrition

Homily for Friday after Ash Wednesday

Our Lenten word of mindfulness for today is contrition. Our response to the readings for today’s liturgy is the great psalm of contrition that King David wrote when Nathan the prophet confronted him about his sin with Bathsheba.

“A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn” (Psalm 51:19b).

Contrition is not a tangible thing but rather a disposition, an attitude. In the penitential psalm of King David, it is intimately to the heart of the penitent. The heart was considered the seat of all human emotions. The English word comes from the Latin “contritus,” which literally means “ground two pieces” or “crushed by guilt.” Consequently, contrition implies a breaking of something that has become hardened.

A central concept in much of Christianity, contrition is regarded as the first step, through Christ, towards reconciliation with God. It consists of repentance for all one's sins, a desire for God over sin, and faith in Christ's redemption on the cross and its sufficiency for salvation.

Six weeks from today we will remember Jesus’ passion and death on the cross. Throughout this day let us humble ourselves and present ourselves as contrite before God’s mercy.