December 26, 2017
Happy those whose offense is forgiven,
whose sin is remitted.
O happy those to whom the Lord
imputes no guilt,
in whose spirit is no guile.
I kept it secret and my frame was wasted.
I groaned all day long,
for night and day your hand was heavy upon me.
Indeed my strength was dried up
as by the summer's heat.
But now I have acknowledged my sins;
my guilt I did not hide, I said:
"I will confess my offense to the Lord."
And you, Lord, have forgiven
the guilt of my sin.
So let faithful men and women pray to you
in the time of need.
The floods of water may reach high
but they shall stand secure.
You are my hiding place, O Lord;
you save me from distress.
Rejoice, rejoice and exult in the lord.
O come, ring out your joy.
all you upright of heart.
The Columbans are a society of missionaries, including priests and lay people, who minister to people of various cultures as a way of witnessing to the universal love of God.