With the richness of the first reading and Gospel, it can sometimes be easy to overlook the beauty of the psalm. Today we hear a psalm of both penitence and hope - Psalm 51. The background of this psalm is the sin of David, a story of adultery, deception and eventually, murder.

Strikingly, however, psalm 51 begins with a focus on God. It recalls God's steadfast love and abundant mercy. David does not try to argue his case or make excuses. He honestly admits his guilt to God. He acknowledges that sin is an offence against God.

The psalm does end there. David prays that God transform him. He yearns to be purified by God. He boldly asks that God create something new in his life. He wants to have a clean heart and a new spirit. He asks to be in deeper touch with God's desire for him - that truth and goodness dwell in him.

When we turn to God, honestly and vulnerably, we allow God to transform us and give us new life. When we come to God, we discover that God's love is greater than our sin.

Is there a sin that is weighing me down? Is there something I would like to honestly acknowledge before God?