Mercy, Kindness, and Compassion

Homily for Wednesday of the First Week of Lent

Psalm 51 is the preeminent Psalm when it comes to expressing contrition for one’s sin. We know from the notes that appear at the beginning of this psalm that it was composed by David at the time that Nathan the prophet exposed his adultery and his plan to eliminate Uriah by placing him at the front line of the battle. Faced with this accusation, David turns toward God and expresses true contrition for his sins.

One of the remarkable features of this Psalm is contained in the very first line. Using three different Hebrew words for forgiveness, David follows them by using three more Hebrew words for sin. As is so often the case in Hebrew, the context of the word is all important in determining exactly what is meant. The first three words are translated into English as mercy, kindness, and compassion. The Hebrew word for mercy in this case expresses sorrow for a mistake, something as innocent as bumping into a stranger. The Hebrew word used here does not convey any kind of relationship between the sinner and the offended person. The Hebrew word for kindness is a word right out of the covenant between God and Israel and presupposes that relationship and is thus a stronger word than the word for mercy. Finally, the word for compassion, the plural for the word womb, expresses the relationship of a mother and child, perhaps the strongest kind of relationship that can be found in human society. Consequently, as we pray this verse, we find ourselves moving from a situation in which there is no relationship to a situation where the relationship is the strongest one possible.

This verse continues with the three words offense, guilt, and sin. Like the three words that preceded them, these words also must be viewed in context. So the Hebrew word that is used for offense signals an out and out rebellion while the word used for guilt speaks of some sort of perversion. Finally, the word used for sin is the same word that would be used to indicate that an archer missed the target as he let an arrow fly.

When we look at these words in this fashion, we see that David’s Psalm of contrition is speaking of the quality of God’s mercy. The words are meant to be paired together. To put it simply, no matter what the sin, no matter how grave or how small, God’s mercy is all that is necessary. As long as there is true contrition, God is willing to forgive.

Of course, the Psalm is being used to respond to readings that speak of contrition themselves. In the first reading we hear of how the Ninevites are moved to repent. The gospel passage for today adds strength to the first reading as we hear Jesus commenting on their repentance.

These Lenten readings remind us of the importance of contrition and repentance in our own lives. We have been given this special season in which we can implore God for the gift of mercy, knowing that the gift itself is freely given. God’s mercy covers all our sins.