Confession and Absolution – January 25

Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 119:49-72; PM Psalm 49, [53]
Isa. 49:1-12; Gal. 2:11-21; Mark 6:13-29 

The apostle Paul writes to the churches in Galatia about what it means to live faithfully with God. He also reports on those who are not living on the straight and narrow path. In today’s excerpt, Paul gives Peter (Cephas) a hard time. Peter – a Jew – purportedly is living “like a Gentile and not like a Jew.” As such, how can Peter expect others to live into Jewish cultural norms, when he is not abiding by them? Paul goes on a bit and then says, “But if I build up again the very things that I once tore down, then I demonstrate that I am a transgressor.”

In abstruse language, Paul points to the problem of sin, and the temptation to fall into former ways. We try to follow Jesus. We try to live into our baptismal promises to turn our backs on sin and turn our faces to God. The very thing we promise to avoid presents itself and feels so tempting and dangerous…even if that temptation is only a tiny chocolate morsel.

The Good News is that faith in Jesus and the grace of God are the salvific tidbits…as Paul states, “we know that a person is justified not by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ.” And while justification comes through God’s benevolent grace, we still make day-to-day choices like a short temper or dishonesty to avoid hard exchanges with a neighbor.

Each time we confess our sins to God – whether in worship during Morning Prayer or a Sunday service, or in a breath prayer on the way to work – we are reminded of the Christ light that lives in each of us. When we hear the Absolution, it solidifies for us that God has forgiven our sins and put them away. “Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.”

In that prayerful exchange, we have affirmation that restoration of relationship with God (and others) is possible. Thanks be to God!

Katherine+

Questions for Self-Reflection:

What makes confession easier? What makes it harder?

Daily Challenge:

Pause and deeply reflect today before saying the Confession. When you hear the words of the Absolution, truly receive God's forgiveness.