+ In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.
Deus meus, ex toto corde poenitet me omnium meorum peccatorum, eaque detestor, quia peccando, non solum poenas a Te iuste statutas promeritus sum, sed praesertim quia offendi Te, summum bonum, ac dignum qui super omnia diligaris. Ideo firmiter propono, adiuvante gratia Tua, de cetero me non peccaturum peccandique occasiones proximas fugiturum. Amen.
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Hoply Spirit.
Oh my God, from all my heart I am sorry for all my sins, and I detest them, not only because in sinning, I deserve the penalties that you have justly established, but especially because I have offended Thee, who art the greatest good, and worthy beyond all my love. Therefore I firmly purpose, with the help of Thy grace, from henceforth to sin no more and flee the next occasions of sinning. Amen.
A Psalm of David when Nathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone into Bathsheba.
The following is now a personal commentary written by me, Joshua Hamm, unworthy servant of God. I pray that my thoughts engraved in ink may be propitiatory penance for all my past and present sins. I unite my contrition to that of the great King David, that I may be absolved by God. Amen.
“Have mercy on upon me, oh God according to your loving kindness, according to the multitude of your tender mercies.” Lord, good and merciful God, in your love you sent to us your Only Begotten Son to teach us your mercy, your loving and soft sweet ways. Many, oh Lord, are your graces and mercies, which you make anew everyday.
“Blot out my transgressions,” Cleanse me, oh God. Make me pure. In sin was I conceived, in sin I live, let's let me not perish in the mud of wickedness. Rather, show love to us.
“Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin”, that I, along with my good brothers and sisters, may attain a glorious Beatific Vision.
“For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.” My conscience is uneasy come my God, for my sin is quite heavy and even heavier is its toll on my soul.
“Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight — that You may be found just when you speak, and blameless when you judge.” Many are my sins, and a very great many more remain hidden from the light of day. I remain ashamed of this evil sting which contaminates my body and consumes the soul. And many of my sins remain visible to You alone, and many more are perpetrated only against your Divine majesty. Now, I must admit and confess to these sins so as to not scandalize my religion, nor to damage your perfect justice. I confess my iniquity and confess your justice and wrath. For the scriptures affirm “the wages of sin is death” and it is this stuff that causes me dread. My sin charges me guilty and so does my conscience come not alone, but guided by your just commandments.
“Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me.” Original sin is a disease that is passed on from generation to generation. “Behold, you desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part you will make me to know wisdom.” “For wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord” (c.f., Proverbs 1:7), and if we fear the Lord, we fear his judgment, for He is a mighty and just ruler, and sweet is His counsel.
“Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” Alert purchase us and makes us anew. Penance, prayer, mortification, fasting, confession of sins. These are most profitable gifts used by all to raise our contrite hearts unto the Lord.
“Make me to hear joy and gladness, that the bones which you have broken may rejoice.” For the Lord said, “my burden is light”. Let us rejoice with contrition, gladden with prayer and fasting. Let us not show contempt in the face of tribulation, rather, with love, hope and faith, let us carry our cross.
“Create in me a clean heart, oh God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” This is the essence of contrition. This is what we ask for. “Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your Holy Spirit away from me.” When we sin, we risk our soul by betraying God's confidence and friendship, earning for our selves His just and fiery wrath. His wrath befalls not those whose body is a proper temple of the Spirit. For this reason, wrath is applied to those who know not the Lord. Nevertheless, let us not forget that God chastises those he loves whenever they are at fault, doing so with love.
“Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with your generous Spirit.” He upholds all things by the will of his power and by the power of his Word. “Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners shall be converted to you.” We live as transgressors of God's perfect laws, until He instills within our contrite hearts His truth, found in the Gospels. Through the Church, we are taught the ways of the Lord and it is the Gospel preached by the Church which converts our hearts.
“Deliver me from blood guiltiness, oh God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue shall sing aloud of your righteousness. Oh Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall show forth your praise.” Let us raise up our voices and sing psalms of love and hope. “For you do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; you do not delight in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken Spirit, broken and contrite heart – These, oh God, You will not despise.”
God commands the sacrifice of the mass, yet we know from this scripture that a sacrifice is defiled if not made with the proper form, matter or intention. If any of these are found wanting, let us offer up our contrite hearts and be made anew. This, the Lord will always long for.
“Do good in Your good pleasure to Zion; Build the walls of Jerusalem. Then You shall be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering; then they shall offer bulls on Your altar.” Once we are made of a new, then and only then can we offer sacrifice, is this to avoid sacrilege can show due reverence to God's holiness.
This is the end of the commentary.
Deo Gratias.