A Broken Heart, and a Contrite Spirit...the Wayfarer

A Broken Heart, and a Contrite Spirit

Psalm 34:18 KJV

¹⁸The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

Psalm 51:17 KJV

 ¹⁷The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

A broken heart, and a contrite spirit, words that brook no misunderstanding, words that are unmistakable in meaning as the simple message of redemption for repentance, preached by Christ Jesus, from the Jordan to the cross, and that echo still in their unmistakable TRUTH, continuing that same message, the only message leading to that redemption, the salvation offered through the blood of Christ Jesus, given only those meeting that simple requirement of repentance that comes only with having experienced more than a recitation of words offered in penance, as empty as platitudes given by those repeating empty words given them by equally empty teachings that hold no reflection of the necessity for that repentance.

Christ offered no recitation of words that could lead to salvation, offering only each the opportunity to find within themselves the words needed to attain redemption, and the change of heart and soul that accompanies only the meaningful offering of prayer to the Father.

Luke 18:9-14King James Version (KJV)

⁹ And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:

¹⁰ Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.

¹¹ The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

¹² I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

¹³ And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

¹⁴ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Time and again, Christ chose to impart His message of redemption through repentance to both publican and Pharisee, knowing that the reception of that message would be understood only by those meeting the requirement given first to repent to be able to receive that redemption.

Time and again, that message was received and ignored by those choosing the trappings of the long robes and custom and tradition over the simplistic TRUTH He had come to deliver.

The same holds true for the itching ears of today that have no desire to hear that TRUTH, choosing instead the platitudes offered them by the same promoters of self, that choose the same vain repetition of the same vain, empty words over the full gospel offered through the very blood of Christ Jesus.

There is no magic formula for prayer to be heard.

There is no recitation that may be offered in penance.

10 Hail Mary's and 10 Our Father's remain impotent and inaudible when given by lips that have not come to that point of  repentance demanding a broken heart and contrite spirit.

The sinner's prayer, when merely recited, offers no salvation, but the true sinner's prayer offered with a broken heart and contrite spirit, in full knowledge of the omnipotence of God, the lack of any power of the individual to meet any standard of righteousness offered by men, and the actual righteousness and power of Christ Jesus alone amplifies and makes that prayer audible to Ears most eager to hear them with willing response.

That response is the welcoming LOVE of a Father who awaits with a blessing never understood nor achieved by those unwilling to meet the simple message of Christ Jesus:

"REPENT! For the Kingdom of heaven is at hand."

The expense of the clothing worn, the expense of the cathedral used, the stained glass windows, comfortable seats, vast expanse of vaulted ceiling offer no advantage to the petitioner, only the distraction from the necessity to meet the requirement.

Luke 5:32 KJV

 ³² I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Until that repentance is given, the gift offered through the sacrifice of Christ remains rejected, unaccepted despite the Love with which it was given.

Tradition and entertainment hold no promise of eternal life.

That promise is held through experiencing, personally, the reality of the redemption offered, and may be experienced only through a broken heart and contrite spirit approaching that gift with the knowledge of the unworthiness of the receptor.

It comes only once, is given only once and may not be experienced or received by vain repetition of vain words.

Once given it is a permanent gift to the receptor that cannot be taken, cannot be denied, cannot be forfeited.

2 Timothy 1:12

 ¹²For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

Amen and Amen

the Wayfarer