Lenten Psalm: Our Calling to Fast from Sin

David Martin | The Daily Knight

“Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them” (St. John 20:23)

Dwelling on old sins is no penance, but heartfully regretting them is,

Revisiting old sins is no penance, but banishing them makes us His.

‘A contrite heart God will not despise’ (Psalm 50:15), but a double heart he won’t receive.

For hypocrisy sickens the Lord of Hosts, Whose Heart we should not grieve.

“Be not without fear about sin forgiven, and add not sin upon sin,” (Ecc. 5:5)

Lest you be like the dog that returns to its vomit (2 Peter 2:22), and you score the devil’s win.

“A sacrifice to God is an afflicted spirit” (Psalms 50:19), and one that weeps for its shame;

Who regrets having offended its Maker, from Whom all life and goodness came.

‘Why do you give up your candy, while continuing to sleep with your bawd?’

Better that you have your candy and sweets, than to merit the chastising rod.

Hypocritical fasts don’t pan out in the end, but the gold of fidelity stands,

Reject fool’s gold and embrace things eternal, lest you be bound in infernal bands.

The Lord through his Passion purchased life eternal, but this is reserved for the faithful of God,

Who renounce the world, the flesh, and the devil, and who cease not to make Christ their laud.  

For Heaven is gained by merit, and is granted to God’s elect,

Who heed the voice of the Shepherd, Whose Commandments they do not reject.