I SINNED! I SINNED!

Repent and turn away from your idols, and turn away 

your faces from all your abominations

Ezekiel 14:6 

From the inspiration of Ezekiel  (14)
 

My God … How difficult it is for me to confess!

Expose to me my hidden depths; so that I should cry out:

I sinned! I sinned!

In the old days, the people used to cast the blame on the priests;

And the priests used to cast the blame on the people!

And every generation think that it is punished for sins of their fathers.

As for me, I confess to You:

I sinned! I sinned!

My father will not intercede on my behalf, if I neglect my salvation!

And I will not be punished for his weaknesses!

I admit to You my personal responsibility!

I sinned! Forgive me, and absolve me!

The prophet Moses interceded on behalf of his people.

And the prophet Samuel kept on praying for them.

A cloud of witnesses surrounds us,

who intercede and pray for us, and support us!

Instruct me on how to care for my salvation,

Then this cloud would become my support!

I complain about myself to You; Sin has destroyed me:

A famine for God's word has come on me!

I became like a desolate land, in which evil thoughts dwell, like wild beasts!

The sword of sin strokes my depths, destroying my talents!

By my sin, I became like a pestilence, corrupting those around me.

I confess my sin to You;

The responsibility is all mine!

Save me … Rescue me!

Fr. Tadros Malaty

From the Inspiration of The Book of Ezekiel