“Repentance seeks to know the truth.”
I am guilty before You.
I admit it.
You are the Judge.
I come before You, against myself.
I desire You. I want to be with You.
I want Your will to be done, for You are holy.
You are right against me.
I love You.
I judge myself as You judge me.
But You are love, and I appeal to this love.
With all that I am, I give myself
to the mystery of Your love.
I have no desire to evade the severity of Your judgement.
But You are the God of grace!
Have mercy on me.
— Romano Guardini, The Living God (slightly editted)