For the observance of a holy Lent (Book of Common Prayer, Ash Wednesday Liturgy, p. 264)

Dear People of God: The first Christians observed with great devotion the days of our Lord’s passion and resurrection, and it became the custom of the Church to prepare for them by a season of penitence and fasting. This season of Lent provided a time in which converts to the faith were prepared for Holy Baptism. It was also a time when those who, because of notorious sins, had been separated from the body of the faithful were reconciled by penitence and forgiveness, and restored to the fellowship of the Church. Thereby, the whole congregation was put in mind of the message of pardon and absolution set forth in the Gospel of our Savior, and of the need which all Christians continually have to renew their repentance and faith.

I invite you, therefore in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s holy Word……

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Week 2: March 4, 2009

Enriching our Worship God of all mercy, we confess that we have sinned against you, opposing your will in our lives. We have denied your goodness in each other, in ourselves, and in the world you have created. We repent of the evil that enslaves us, the evil we have done, and the evil done on our behalf. Forgive, restore, and strengthen us through our Savior Jesus Christ, that we may abide in your love and serve only your will. Amen.
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Matthew 18:15-20 (New Revised Standard Version) “If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times? Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but I tell you seventy-seven times.
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Compline (Book of Common Prayer p. 128) May the Almighty God grant us forgiveness of all our sins, and the grace and comfort of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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After reading, write a synopsis of the text in your own words. Post this synopsis in the "comments" section. Read and discuss other posted synopses.
  • What is the major theme of the passage that is expressed in each synopsis? What are the individual concerns that are expressed in each synopsis?
  • What new possibilities does the passage open for me? For us?
  • If I were to take seriously the words of my own synopsis, what would that mean for me? For us?
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