The people were plain crazy. They came to Jeremiah saying they wanted to hear what God said. Jeremiah said sure, but I’m going to tell you everything he says, so are you sure you want to hear it? Yes, yes, tell us what God says, the people beg. So Jeremiah spends ten days seeking God, comes back to tell them the message, and can you even guess how the people responded? They called Jeremiah a liar and did the opposite of what God said.
That’s just crazy! Who would do something like that?
Reading these old stories of the people of Israel, it is so easy to see their foolishness and rebellion. I try to reflect that back on myself though- in what way have I been foolish and rebellious? Would I be the one who would do something like that?
In today’s installment, the people disobeyed using the excuse “that’s not really what God says.”
Do I ever do that? Do we as a people of God? Do we make excuses, or rationalize our behavior or lack of action?
In the days when a large part of the Christian world was Catholic, Fridays were a traditional day of prayer and fasting. Every week, Christians spent time examining their lives, attitudes, behaviors. These rhythms could become rote, or they could become guide rails ushering us to a place of confident vulnerability, where we trust God’s love enough to vulnerably confess all.
So when I look into my heart and soul, and I see there the same foolishness and rebellion I see in the people of this story, I am not afraid of God’s wrath. I am relieved to confess and repent, trusting the restoration he offers through Christ.
Today, this Friday, nothing is as it’s supposed to be. Well, that’s how it seems though it’s not actually true. One thing that can bring comfort is a sense of community, and so today I invite you into a community of saints who have used this day throughout the centuries to examine their lives and repent. And the thing that brings much more than the comfort of community is the truth that our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. So today, standing on that foundation, join me in prayer of repentance. (full text of prayer below)
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From The Book of Common Prayer as adapted in Divine Hours
Most holy and merciful Father: I confess to you and to the whole communion of saints in heaven and on earth, that I have sinned by my own fault in thought, word, and deed; by what I have done, and by what I have left undone.
I have not loved you with my whole heart, and mind, and strength. I have not loved my neighbors as myself. I have not forgiven others, as I have been forgiven.
Have mercy on me, Lord. I have been deaf to your call to serve, as Christ served us. I have not been true to the mind of Christ. I have grieved your holy spirit.
Have mercy on me, Lord. I confess to you, Lord, all my past unfaithfulness: the pride, hypocrisy, and impatience of my life.
I confess to you, Lord. My self-indulgent appetites and ways, and my exploitation of other people,
I confess to you, Lord. My anger at my own frustration, and my envy of those more fortunate than I,
I confess to you, Lord. My intemperate love of worldly goods and comforts, and my dishonesty in daily life and work,
I confess to you, Lord. My negligence in prayer and worship, and my failure to commend the faith that is in me,
I confess to you, Lord. Accept my repentance, Lord, for the wrongs I have done: for my blindness to human need and suffering, and my indifference to indulgence and cruelty,
Accept my repentance, Lord. For all false judgments, for uncharitable thoughts toward my neighbors, and for my prejudice and contempt towards those who differ from me,
Accept my repentance, Lord. For my waste and pollution of your creation, and my lack of concern for those who come after us,
Accept my repentance, Lord.
Restore me, good Lord, and let your anger depart from me,
Favorably hear me for your mercy is great.
Accomplish in me and all of your church the work of your salvation,
That I may show forth all your glory in the world. By the cross and passion of your Son, our Lord,
Bring me with all your saints to the joy of his resurrection.
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