Responding To The Psalms

Lent 2022

RESPONDING TO THE PSALMS – March 2022

– a project of the Spirituality Committee of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales

 “The annual observance of Lent is the special season for the ascent of the holy mountain of Easter.….

The faithful listening more intently to the word of God and devoting themselves to prayer,

are prepared through a spirit of repentance to renew their baptismal promises.” [Ceremonial of Bishops n.249]

After each psalm there is space to type or write your own thoughts as a possible Lenten journal.

“The Responsorial Psalm is an integral part of the Liturgy of the Word which has great liturgical and pastoral importance since it fosters meditation on the Word of God.” [GIRM n.61]

The idea is to take an idea from the psalm for your focus for a day or two, for yourself or shared with others

Acknowledgements

Excerpts from The Psalms: A New Translation © 1963 The Grail (England) published by HarperCollins.

 

ASH WEDNESDAY – 2 March 2022

Responsorial Psalm– Psalm 50(51):3-6,12-14,1

Have mercy on us, O Lord, for we have sinned.

Have mercy on me, God, in your kindness.

In your compassion blot out my offence.

O wash me more and more from my guilt

and cleanse me from my sin.

We know God is kind that is why we can trust in him to be merciful to us

Be honest about your sinfulness, especially the good we have not done

 

My offences truly I know them;

my sin is always before me

Against you, you alone, have I sinned;

what is evil in your sight I have done.

We know God is holy and that sin and evil contradict that holiness

Be honest about your sinfulness, especially the sins we commit

 

A pure heart create for me, O God,

put a steadfast spirit within me.

Do not cast me away from your presence,

nor deprive me of your holy spirit.

God is good – add an ‘o’ to God and we get ‘good’ in English

Pray for God to help us purify our hearts for holiness

 

Give me again the joy of your help;

with a spirit of fervour sustain me,

O Lord, open my lips

and my mouth shall declare your praise.

We know God wants to always help us

Pray for God’s spirit to strengthen us to be constant in God’s praise and service

 

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