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b'(Jl.2:12-18;\\xa0\\xa0 Ps.51:3-6,12-14,17;\\xa0\\xa0 2Cor.5:20-6:2;\\xa0\\xa0 Mt.6:1-6,16-18) \\xa0 \\u201cEven now, says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, and weeping, and mourning.\\u201d \\xa0 \\u201cWe implore you, in Christ\\u2019s name: be reconciled to God!\\u201d Paul exclaims; and the people of God today raise a cry, rending their hearts, begging His forgiveness\\u2026 turning from their sins to find His healing grace. The trumpet is blown in Zion; the people are gathered as one.\\xa0 Now \\u201clet the bridegroom quit his room, and the bride her chamber.\\xa0 Between the porch and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep.\\u201d\\xa0 For now is the time of mourning, now is the time of prayer\\u2026 now is the time to cry with David, \\u201cThoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me.\\u201d\\xa0 For now as we \\u201cacknowledge [our] offense\\u201d we find how \\u201cgracious and merciful is He\\u201d; now \\u201cthe joy of [His] salvation\\u201d returns to us as \\u201ca clean heart\\u201d He creates for us, as His Holy Spirit He instills in our souls.\\xa0 Yes, \\u201cNow is the acceptable time!\\xa0 Now is the day of salvation!\\u201d\\xa0 And so let us cry out to our Lord: \\u201cSpare, O Lord, your people!\\u201d The Lord will hear us, brothers and sisters; He will be quick to respond, as long as we are careful \\u201cnot to receive the grace of God in vain.\\u201d\\xa0 As Jesus said to His disciples, so He says to us: \\u201cBe on guard against performing religious acts for people to see.\\u201d\\xa0 Only such vanity will prevent our finding the \\u201crecompense from our heavenly Father.\\u201d\\xa0 Yes, we must give alms.\\xa0 Yes, we must pray.\\xa0 Yes, we must fast.\\xa0 But listen to the Lord\\u2019s instruction to \\u201ckeep your deeds of mercy secret,\\u201d to \\u201cpray to your Father in private,\\u201d and to make sure \\u201cno one can see you are fasting but your Father who is hidden.\\u201d\\xa0 For then indeed \\u201cyour Father who sees what is hidden will repay you\\u201d for your sacrifice.\\xa0 But if your offering is one to impress the eyes of man, be sure the eyes of God do not look upon it and it shall find no blessing in His sight. The time has come, the time of great mercy.\\xa0 As we call upon our God, \\u201cin the greatness of [His] compassion [He will] wipe out [our] offense.\\u201d\\xa0 In Jesus and in His sacrifice for our sin we might now \\u201cbecome the very holiness of God.\\u201d\\xa0 May we find now the Lord \\u201cstirred to concern for His land and [taking] pity on His people.\\u201d\\xa0 May we find His grace at work in our souls as now we give ourselves to Him. \\xa0 Written, read & chanted, and produced by James Kurt. \\xa0 Music: "The Sackcloth Song" from Remove the Mask of Lies, second album of Songs for Children of Light, by James Kurt. \\xa0 ******* O LORD, you see what is hidden; let there be in our hearts no sin but only your heavenly presence.\\xa0 YHWH, against you we have sinned, against you and your love.\\xa0 We have turned our backs to you and our guilt is with us always.\\xa0 But you are merciful and offer opportunity for repentance.\\xa0 You are good and kind and allow us to return to you.\\xa0 Help us to rend our hearts and weep in your presence, that we might know the healing touch of your forgiving hand. Wash us thoroughly from our fault; let it no more be known in your sight, O LORD.\\xa0 Now is the acceptable time for repentance \\u2013 in Jesus you will hear our pleas.\\xa0 O let His sacrifice be fruitful in your sight that we might be holy in Him this day! And let our offering be acceptable to you as well.\\xa0 May our fasting and praying and almsgiving bring down your blessings upon us.\\xa0 Make us sincere, dear LORD, in our love for you and one another.\\xa0 Let us lay down our lives with your Son and know your presence in our souls.\\xa0 Spare us this day, O God; let us know the greatness of your mercy.'