“A sacrifice to God is a contrite spirit; God does not despise a contrite and humble heart.”
You will take no delight in burnt offerings, David says. If you will not take delight in burnt offerings, will you remain without sacrifice? Not at all. A sacrifice to God is a contrite spirit; God does not despise a contrite and humble heart.
You now have the offering you are to make. No need to examine the herd, no need to outfit ships and travel to the most remote provinces in search of incense. Search within your heart for what is pleasing to God. Your heart must be crushed. Are you afraid that it might perish so? You have the reply: Create a clean heart in me, O God. For a clean heart to be created, the unclean one must be crushed. [St. Augustine, From a sermon by Saint Augustine, A sacrifice to God is a contrite spirit, Office of Readings 7/09/2023]
Let us pray, Heal me, O God, with the ointment of repentance, and I shall be filled with peace and joy, may my sorrow bring me closer to You.
May God Be Praised.
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