"See, I am sending you out like sheep in the midst of wolves;
so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves…..When they hand you over, do not
worry about how you are to speak or what are to say; for what you are to say
will be given to you at that time; for it is not you who speak but the Spirit
of your Father speaking through you."
Father
John Carten’s reflection on the gospel is about Psalm 51 written by King David,
when the prophet Nathan came to him, after he committed adultery with Bathsheba.
King David asked for God’s mercy and compassion. The Psalm 51 is a source of hope, our own goodness, and
faithfulness. It reminds us of God’s
love which never changes, always constant and steadfast. Based on the gospel, Father
John advised us not to worry on what to
speak and to make the right choice for ourselves and for others. We should do
the right thing and not to be consumed by worry about tomorrow by trusting in God’s
constant love.
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according
to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my
iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my transgressions, a day sin is ever before me.
Against you, you alone, have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight, so
that you are justified in your sentence and blameless when you pass judgment.
Indeed, I was born guilty, a sinner when my mother conceived me.
You desire truth in the inward being, therefore teach me
wisdom in my secret heart. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me,
and I shall be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bone
that you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my
iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right
spirit within me. Do not cast me away from our presence, and do not take your Holy
Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a
willing spirit.
Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will
return to you. Deliver me from bloodshed, O God, O God of my salvations,
and my tongue will sing aloud of your
deliverance.
O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.
For you have no delight in sacrifice; if I were to give a burnt-offering, you
would not be pleased. The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a
broken and contrite heart, O God you will not despise.
Do good to Zion in your good pleasure; rebuild the walls of
Jerusalem, then you will delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and
whole burn-offerings; then bulls will be offered on your altar.
Source: HOLY BIBLE, The New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition, 1999, Oxford University Press, Inc., New York, USA
