Let us never assume that if we lead good lives, we will be without sin; our lives should be praised only when we continue to beg for pardon. But we humans are hopeless creatures, and the less we concentrate on our own sins, the more interested we become in the sins of others. We seek to criticize, not to correct. Unable to excuse ourselves, we are ready to accuse others.

This was not the way that David showed us how to pray and make amends to God, when he said: �I acknowledge my transgression, and my sin is ever before me.� He did not concentrate on other people�s sins; he turned his thoughts upon himself. He did not merely stroke the surface, but he plunged inside and went down deep within himself. He did not spare himself, and therefore was not impudent in asking to be spared .... �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, too? 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. We should be displeased with ourselves when we commit sin, for sin is displeasing to God. Sinful though we are, let us at least be like God in this, that we are displeased at what displeases him. In some measure then we will be in harmony with God�s will, because we find displeasing in ourselves what is abhorrent to our Creator.

St. Augustine�s powerful words express the attitude of repentance that should characterize the life of the disciple of Christ. Indeed, the only appropriate attitude for any believing Christian is repentance, even joyful repentance, but repentance nonetheless.