We Cannot Deceive You

- My precious friend, here is one of my favorite vocal prayers on repentance. Vocal prayers most especially our Lord's own prayer, those of our Saints, the Liturgies of our Mother Church, the Canticles of the New Testament (the Magnificat of our Lady, the Benedictus of Zechariah, and the Nunc Dimmitis of Simeon), the Canticle of Moses and other Canticles of the Old Testament, the Psalms and other works of prayers by various holy people are, in my own experience, very good points for deeper reflection, it reflects the interior dispositions of those who have been able to put down to actual words what in their hearts must be the most profound expression of a Love beyond words.

PARDON US, O LORD, PARDON US. We beg to shift the blame of our sins; we make excuses. But no one can hide himself from the light of your truth, which both enlightens those who turn to it, and exposes those who turn away. Even our blood and our bones are visible to you, who created us out of dust. How foolish we are to think that we can rule our lives, satisfying our own desires, without thought of you. How stupid we are to imagine that we can keep our sins hidden. But although we may deceive other people, we cannot deceive you. And since you see into our hearts, we cannot deceive ourselves, for your light reveals to us our own spiritual corruption. Let us, therefore, fall down before you, weeping with tears of shame. May your judgment give new shape to our souls. May your power mold our hearts to reflect your love. May your grace infuse our minds, so that our thoughts reflect your will.

Pontifical North American College, Rome
Manual of Prayers, p. 50
- William of Saint Thierry (1085-1148)
(Available at the EWTN Religious Catalogue)