Here’s
an act of confession inspired by the suggested scripture readings for Proper
29, Year C. It was written by James E. Janecek.
Prayer
of Confession
(inspired by Jeremiah 23: 1-6)
We
have sinned against both Shepherd and flock,
even
at times not knowing
that
we were blocking the work of divine love.
Forgive
us for driving others away from the land
of
justice and safety.
We
have sinned against both Shepherd and flock,
even
at times not knowing
that
we were blocking the work of divine love.
Forgive
us for not attending to the needs of others.
We
have sinned against both Shepherd and flock,
even
at times not knowing
that
we were blocking the work of divine love.
Forgive
us for not bringing back to the fold
those
who are fearful,
and
have gone missing from community.
Assurance
of Pardon
(inspired by Luke 23: 33-43, Colossians 1:20-22)
Like
the bandits who were crucified next to Jesus,
we
too are forgiven—
no
matter how much we may have scoffed at the Shepherd’s love,
no
matter that sometimes we may not have known what we were doing.
For
in the Shepherd all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,
and
through the Shepherd God was pleased to reconcile to God all things,
whether
on earth or in the heaven,
by
making peace through the blood of the cross.
The
Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ, has remembered us and forgiven us---
the
gates of Paradise have been unlocked;
we
are free to enter where the Shepherd reigns forever and ever!
Thanks
be to God!
~ written by James E. Janecek, in The Shepherd Reigns. Posted on the
United Church of Christ’s Worship Ways website. http://www.ucc.org/worship/worship-ways/
