Friday after Ash Wednesday:
Come to the River
John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Mark 1:4
Imagine you are along the river Jordan. A wild looking man, dressed in the offerings of the land is drawing a crowd. Why are they there? You had hoped for a quiet day sitting on the bank throwing a line out to see if anything bites. Mostly you wished to drink in the warm sun and the sweet smell of the new growth of spring. Now you would have to contend with the crowd and the strange man preaching. You wander toward the place where the crowd gathers. The preacher is in the water! He is greeting those from the crowd who go out. He holds them, bends each backward into the water. They seem to trust him. As you watch they come up radiant. What is going on? Repentance, forgiveness of sins, someone says. Returning to your original place on the bank you feel pulled to review your own life. Scenes pass in front of you—the present, the past, relationships, God.
Who are you now?
Let God be your guide as you answer. What must you confess? For what will you give thanks? What are your deepest desires? Experience anew the baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
Lord Jesus, I confess…have mercy on me; forgive my sins.
We confess… have mercy on our world; forgive our sins.
Lord Jesus, I give thanks…continue to bless this earth.
Lord Jesus, I desire…bend my will to your own;
We wish…redeem all of creation.
Come to the River
John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Mark 1:4
Imagine you are along the river Jordan. A wild looking man, dressed in the offerings of the land is drawing a crowd. Why are they there? You had hoped for a quiet day sitting on the bank throwing a line out to see if anything bites. Mostly you wished to drink in the warm sun and the sweet smell of the new growth of spring. Now you would have to contend with the crowd and the strange man preaching. You wander toward the place where the crowd gathers. The preacher is in the water! He is greeting those from the crowd who go out. He holds them, bends each backward into the water. They seem to trust him. As you watch they come up radiant. What is going on? Repentance, forgiveness of sins, someone says. Returning to your original place on the bank you feel pulled to review your own life. Scenes pass in front of you—the present, the past, relationships, God.
Who are you now?
Let God be your guide as you answer. What must you confess? For what will you give thanks? What are your deepest desires? Experience anew the baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
Lord Jesus, I confess…have mercy on me; forgive my sins.
We confess… have mercy on our world; forgive our sins.
Lord Jesus, I give thanks…continue to bless this earth.
Lord Jesus, I desire…bend my will to your own;
We wish…redeem all of creation.
Amen.
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