Here’s an abbreviated  version of Psalm 51, a prayer for God’s mercy, that we reflected on in our previous blog.

The illustration for the psalm was done by Brother Robert McKenna, a Passionist brother who died recently. Brother Robert spent many years as a missionary in the Philippines. He was an excellent artist and illustrator.

The hand is the hand of God, of course. That metaphor is applied to God frequently in the bible and especially in the psalms. Here God reaches his hand out to recreate us. His hand is the hand of Mercy, giving us life. He blesses us.

The cross in the illustration is a sign of God’s love for us. Psalm 51 is the original Act of Contrition. A beautiful prayer for Fridays and for all days.