An excellent meditation for before/during/after Holy Mass...especially if you've trouble with focusing on Our Lord after Holy Communion. I've often puzzled over my inclination to go right back to sinning no matter how many times I have confessed and asked for forgiveness. It is encouraging to see that such a great Saint struggled with similar things but eventually ended in eternal glory.
Before Your eyes, O Lord, we bring our offenses, and we compare them with the stripes we have received.
If we consider the evil we have wrought, what we suffer is little and what we deserve is great.
What we have committed is very grave, wheat we have suffered is very slight.
We feel the punishment of sin, yet withdraw not from the obstinacy of sinning.
Under Your lash our inconstancy is visited, but our sinfulness is not changed.
Our suffering soul is tormented, but our neck is not bent.
Our life groans under sorrow, yet mends not in deed.
If You spare us we correct not our ways: if You punish we cannot endure it.
In time of correction we confess our wrong-doing: after Your visitation we forget that we have wept.
If you stretch forth Your hand we promise amendment; if You withhold the sword we keep not our promise.
If You strike we cry out for mercy: if You spare we again provoke you to strike.
Here we are before You, O Lord, shameless criminals: we know that unless You pardon we shall deservedly perish.
Grant then, almighty Father, without our deserving it, the pardon we ask for; You who made out of nothing those who ask You. Through Christ our Lord. Amen
V. Deal not with us, O Lord, according to our sins.
R. Neither requite us according to our iniquities.
Let us pray.
O God, You are offended by sin and pacified by penance; mercifully regard the prayers of Your suppliant people, and turn away the scourges of Your wrath, which we deserve for our sins. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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