Penitential Stanzas (Tone 5)
Gerald Largent
Lord, I do not cease my sin; I do not comprehend Your love for mankind, Only Good One! But overcome my blindness, and have mercy on me!
Lord, even though I fear You, I do not cease to do evil. Who at judgment does not fear the Judge? Or who, desiring healing, chases away the Physician as I do? Have compassion on my infirmity, and have mercy on me, O Patient Lord!
Woe is me! Why have I become like the barren fig tree? I fear cursing and cutting down! But, Heavenly Gardener, Christ my God, reveal my parched soul to be fruitful. Accept me as You did the prodigal son and have mercy on me!
Disregard the great number of my transgressions, Lord born of the Virgin. Blot out all my iniquities; grant me, I pray, a firm intention to change, for You are the Lover of Mankind, and have mercy on me!