Confession: Proper 10 C

Here’s an act of confession inspired by the suggested scripture readings for Proper 10 C – especially Luke 10: 25-37 and Colossians 1: 1-14. It was written by Thom Shuman.

Call to Reconciliation

Are you in love with God?

Do you show it in your words, your thoughts, your actions?

Are you in love with your neighbor?

Do they know this by your presence, your grace, your friendship? 

Or are you so obsessed with your self,

that you have no time, no room, no pity for others, or for God?

Let us confess the limits we place on our love,

so we might be filled with God's limitless mercy.

Unison Prayer of Confession

They may not be beaten down or lying by the road,

but there are people we pass by, Watching God.

Some are family and friends

we take so much for granted

we cannot see how we have stripped

them of our love and compassion.

Others are neighbors:

who have been left half-dead by crushing work;

who have fallen into the hands of despair;

who have been abandoned by all those

who walked on by them.

Many are strangers, people we don't know,

but quickly judge:

they are weak,

or poor,

or the enemy

or because they remind us of who

we once were, or could become.

Rescue us from the power of our sins,

Righteous One of all generations.

Pour out your justice on us,

rather than your judgement,

that we would be moved with pity,

and spurred to action;

that we would hear of the hope that is ours,

and share it with our sisters and brothers;

that we would shower mercy on all we meet,

even as we have received forgiveness for our sins

through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Silent Prayers may be offered

Assurance of Pardon

Children of the Most High:

you are forgiven and brought into the kingdom.

Be filled with spiritual wisdom,

lead lives worthy of your inheritance,

bear fruit in all you say and do and think.
God has rescued us and redeemed us from our sins,

setting aside judgment to shower us with mercy.

We will go and do likewise.  

Thanks be to God. Amen.

~ written by Thom Shuman, and posted on Lectionary Liturgies. http://lectionaryliturgies.blogspot.ca/