Psalms 6:7 I have labored in my groaning. Every night, with my tears, I will wash my bed and drench my blanket.

If the author of this psalm is David, he acknowledges his sin of adultery with Bathsheba and the conceiving of a child outside of wedlock. As the child lay dying, the King begged for his life with tears and mourning. How have we sinned? Do we weep and mourn for our infidelity to God? Do we weep and mourn for the sins of others? Jesus said: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be consoled.” Matthew5:5 Lent is a time of mourning for sins, even though forgiven, so that we can experience the consolation of Easter. When we mourn for sins, we are acknowledging the gratuitous mercy of our God.