O Lord, to us belongs confusion of face: to our kings, our leaders, and our fathers, who have sinned. (Dn 9:8)
יְהוָ֗ה לָ֚נוּ בֹּ֣שֶׁת הַפָּנִ֔ים לִמְלָכֵ֥ינוּ לְשָׂרֵ֖ינוּ וְלַאֲבֹתֵ֑ינוּ אֲשֶׁ֥ר חָטָ֖אנוּ לָֽךְ׃
Domine nobis confusio faciei, regibus nostris, principibus nostris, et patribus nostris, qui peccaverunt.
Shame is an important feeling. Like any other, it hides a valuable truth behind it. Healthy shame helps protect our integrity in body and spirit. Shame covers what is delicate and intimate in us and is not for show. There is also shame before God. He helps the sinner to repent. It informs us that we reject God’s love. It reminds us that God is merciful, even though we have rebelled against Him. Then the Merciful One brightens His Face over us.
