As we've walked through the book of Jonah at Doxa Church, we've clearly seen how the book is obviously about Jonah, but also about Jesus...and also about us.
Jonah is a tough book. Believing that God's grace is big enough for us and for the people we despise is where anyone that does Christianity as a hobby, a social club, or because their parents told them to, falls off and finds an easier path. To remind our people that we can be just like Jonah, and to reinforce our liturgy movement, we participated in this confession and assurance of pardon last week. I hope it serves you well.
CONFESSION
We have believed that you don’t have enough grace for us,
that our sin is greater than you,
forgive us Father.
We have believed that others don’t deserve your grace, that we know justice better than you, forgive us Father.
We have believed that we can run from you that somehow we could create distance between us and an omnipresent God. Forgive us Father.
We have believed that You won’t do what’s best, that we need to protect ourselves, sometimes in lieu of you, sometimes from you. Forgive us Father.
We have believed that you won’t provide for us, and assume the things that we care about are what we need, forgive us Father.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
We say aloud that your grace is enough for us,
and for those that have wounded us.
We acknowledge that your presence is constant
and always for our good.
You provide for our needs without exception,
but in your wisdom know what we often strive
for that which can ultimately harm us.
Thank you Father for being quick to forgive,
slow to anger,
rich in compassion,
and eternally constant.