March 29, 2022

The psalmist gives us an anatomical description of confession and its cathartic release.

“When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.
For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin.” (Psalm 32:3-5)

Holding back, holding it in, denying the truth of our sin has physical consequences. And the consequence of confessing our sin to the God whose property is always to have mercy? “Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.” (Psalm 32:1)

“O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ your Son; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.” (Second Sunday in Lent – BCP)