Here’s an act of confession for Holy Humor Sunday (aka Bright Sunday, Laughter Sunday) – the first Sunday after Easter. It was written by Thom Shuman.
Call to Reconciliation
None of us likes to look foolish, but which is sillier? Chasing after the world and all its gaudy trinkets which flatter our souls, or being a 'fool for Christ', imitating him in service to others, offering ourselves in love and joy to the world? Let us admit to God the foolish choices we make each and every day, as we pray, saying,
Unison Prayer of Confession
You know better than we do, Amused God,
Unison Prayer of Confession
You know better than we do, Amused God,
what important people we believe we are.
Believing we have to be serious all the time,
we miss out on the joy of your creation.
Choosing to feast on the pain of the world,
we skip the picnic offered in paradise.
Clinging to the despair which is our best friend,
we ignore Jesus.
who can bring us home to your heart.
Forgive us, Heart of Joy,
Forgive us, Heart of Joy,
and make us open to the startling, and upside-down, ways
in which you work.
Fill us with Easter's laughter;
Fill us with Easter's laughter;
fill us with your healing joy;
fill us with the love poured into us
through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
(silent prayers may be offered)
Assurance of Pardon
The Gospels tell us over and over again of the joy which comes to us through Christ. When Jesus was around, lives were changed, the sick were healed, the sorrowful began to laugh with joy. The good news is that this joy is now given to us.
Through the Holy Spirit, we are gifted with joy.
We are sent forth to bring good news to the oppressed,
to bring healing to the broken,
to anoint everyone with the oil of gladness.
Thanks be to God, we are forgiven. Amen.
Thanks be to God, we are forgiven. Amen.
— written by Thom Shuman, on his excellent Lectionary Liturgies blog.
For more worship resources for Holy Humor Sunday, click on Laughter / Holy Humor Sunday in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page.
