Those to be reconciled, along with their associates, and others involved, sit in separate sections of the church.
The ministers enter quietly and warily, stopping at each row to pass smooth river stones to each congregant. An empty cross, veiled in black, leads the procession.
A large wooden basin is placed in front of the altar.
The Celebrant says
Blessed be our Brother Jesus + Christ
Who bears our sins and weaknesses.
Who bears our sins and weaknesses.
The grace of Jesus the Healer and Reconciler be with you
And also with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray.
Almighty God, in the Paschal mystery
you established the new covenant of reconciliation:
Grant that all reborn into the fellowship of Christ’s Body
may show forth in their lives
what they profess by their faith;
through Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Amen.
you established the new covenant of reconciliation:
Grant that all reborn into the fellowship of Christ’s Body
may show forth in their lives
what they profess by their faith;
through Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Amen.
LESSONS
Old Testament Lesson: Hosea 6.1-3
Canticle: Isaiah 35.1-7, 10
New Testament Lesson: 1 John 4.7-12, 19-21
Gospel: St. Matthew 18.23-35
Canticle: Isaiah 35.1-7, 10
New Testament Lesson: 1 John 4.7-12, 19-21
Gospel: St. Matthew 18.23-35
SERMON
RESPONSE TO THE SERMON
The Celebrant says
From hardness of heart;
from pride, vainglory, and hypocrisy;
from envy, hatred, and malice;
and from all want of charity,
Good Lord, deliver us.
from pride, vainglory, and hypocrisy;
from envy, hatred, and malice;
and from all want of charity,
Good Lord, deliver us.
AUFER A ME COR LAPIDEUM
Let us pray together:
The Ministers and People kneeling
Merciful and compassionate Father,
take away our hearts of stone,
our hardened hearts, our uncircumcised hearts,
and grant to us new hearts, hearts of flesh, clean hearts!
You purify the heart and love the clean heart,
possess our hearts and dwell in them,
containing them and filling them,
higher than our highest
and more intimate than our most intimate thoughts.
You are the image of all beauty
and the seal of all holiness,
seal our hearts in your image
and seal our hearts in your mercy,
O God of our hearts
and the God of our portion in eternity.
Amen.
take away our hearts of stone,
our hardened hearts, our uncircumcised hearts,
and grant to us new hearts, hearts of flesh, clean hearts!
You purify the heart and love the clean heart,
possess our hearts and dwell in them,
containing them and filling them,
higher than our highest
and more intimate than our most intimate thoughts.
You are the image of all beauty
and the seal of all holiness,
seal our hearts in your image
and seal our hearts in your mercy,
O God of our hearts
and the God of our portion in eternity.
Amen.
The Ministers and People still kneeling, the Celebrant stands, walks to the basin and drops a stone with force, inviting the congregation to do the same with these words,
Beloved sisters and brothers,
let those who have not sinned cast the first stone.
Instead, humble yourselves in the sight of God
and mightily cast down your pride
and draw near to God’s presence,
raising your Ebenezer,
and asking God for his mighty help and healing grace.
let those who have not sinned cast the first stone.
Instead, humble yourselves in the sight of God
and mightily cast down your pride
and draw near to God’s presence,
raising your Ebenezer,
and asking God for his mighty help and healing grace.
The Ministers and People, one at a time, drop their stones into the wooden basin, saying
Lord, I have sinned against you and my neighbour;
heal us and forgive us.
I cast down my own pride and self-righteousness.
Amen.
heal us and forgive us.
I cast down my own pride and self-righteousness.
Amen.
The Ministers and People return to their pews.
ACT OF RECONCILIATION
When all have dropped their stones into the wooden basin, the Celebrant stands in the midst of the church, and addresses those to the right, saying,
Sisters and brothers,
I invite you now to turn your hearts to your neighbours,
and confess your sins against God and against them.
I invite you now to turn your hearts to your neighbours,
and confess your sins against God and against them.
Those to the right of the celebrant kneel, and those to the left of the celebrant stand and face those on the right of the celebrant.
Those to the right of the celebrant say
We confess to Almighty God,
and to you my sisters and brothers,
that we have sinned against God and against you,
in thought, word, and deed,
deliberately and unintentionally,
provoking this cycle of animosity,
turning the face of God away from us,
and blocking the flow of God’s love in our lives.
and to you my sisters and brothers,
that we have sinned against God and against you,
in thought, word, and deed,
deliberately and unintentionally,
provoking this cycle of animosity,
turning the face of God away from us,
and blocking the flow of God’s love in our lives.
At the following, those on the right strike their chest at each grievance.
We have wounded Jesus within you.
We have hurt you deeply.
We have caused you to stumble.
We have not taken responsibility for our actions.
We have not called ourselves to account.
We have reminded you of the past.
We have instilled fear in your hearts.
We have been disrespectful to your wishes.
We have lied and spoken untruths.
We have hurled insults and undermined you.
We have regarded you with contempt.
We have manipulated you.
We have devised tactics to cause you more pain.
We have not forgiven you as Christ forgave us.
We have judged you more than ourselves.
We have demonized you and dehumanized you.
We have made you feel less worthy to stand before God.
We have made you feel less loved by God.
We have used you and betrayed your trust.
We blame only ourselves.
We have hurt you deeply.
We have caused you to stumble.
We have not taken responsibility for our actions.
We have not called ourselves to account.
We have reminded you of the past.
We have instilled fear in your hearts.
We have been disrespectful to your wishes.
We have lied and spoken untruths.
We have hurled insults and undermined you.
We have regarded you with contempt.
We have manipulated you.
We have devised tactics to cause you more pain.
We have not forgiven you as Christ forgave us.
We have judged you more than ourselves.
We have demonized you and dehumanized you.
We have made you feel less worthy to stand before God.
We have made you feel less loved by God.
We have used you and betrayed your trust.
We blame only ourselves.
In doing all this, we separated ourselves
from communion with you and with God,
trampled upon your dignity,
denied that you are created in the image of God,
and so grieved the Holy Spirit.
We acknowledge your hurt and pain.
from communion with you and with God,
trampled upon your dignity,
denied that you are created in the image of God,
and so grieved the Holy Spirit.
We acknowledge your hurt and pain.
We ask that you forgive us for these
and all other sins against you,
apologizing for these and all other wrongdoings
we have committed against you.
We are truly sorry, and turning to you,
we promise to make amends
and to make things right between us.
We promise to be more understanding.
We promise to listen.
We commit ourselves to walk forward with you
with renewed hearts and minds,
not looking to the past,
but looking forward to a future together.
Although we are unworthy,
through our many sins against you
give us another chance,
not weighing our past,
but regarding our repentance.
and all other sins against you,
apologizing for these and all other wrongdoings
we have committed against you.
We are truly sorry, and turning to you,
we promise to make amends
and to make things right between us.
We promise to be more understanding.
We promise to listen.
We commit ourselves to walk forward with you
with renewed hearts and minds,
not looking to the past,
but looking forward to a future together.
Although we are unworthy,
through our many sins against you
give us another chance,
not weighing our past,
but regarding our repentance.
We want to restore this relationship.
Let us walk together again as sisters and brothers
of one Father and build each other up
as a temple wherein dwells the Holy Spirit of God.
Amen.
Let us walk together again as sisters and brothers
of one Father and build each other up
as a temple wherein dwells the Holy Spirit of God.
Amen.
Those on the left of the celebrant, facing those on the right, say
In the Name of God who loves us,
we embrace you once again
and welcome you back into our hearts.
What is past is past.
Know that we forgive you, and be at peace.
As God restored fellowship with humankind
through the humility and love
in the Cross of Jesus Christ,
so do we restore our communion with you.
Let us make a new beginning together,
as sisters and brothers,
with unity and peace,
faithful to God’s commands,
and loving each other as Christ loved us.
Be you glad, dearest friends in Christ, you are forgiven.We love you as our own.
Amen.
we embrace you once again
and welcome you back into our hearts.
What is past is past.
Know that we forgive you, and be at peace.
As God restored fellowship with humankind
through the humility and love
in the Cross of Jesus Christ,
so do we restore our communion with you.
Let us make a new beginning together,
as sisters and brothers,
with unity and peace,
faithful to God’s commands,
and loving each other as Christ loved us.
Be you glad, dearest friends in Christ, you are forgiven.We love you as our own.
Amen.
Those to the right of the Celebrant now stand. Those to the left of the Celebrant now kneel, and say
We confess to Almighty God,
and to you my sisters and brothers,
that we have sinned against God and against you,
in thought, word, and deed,
deliberately and unintentionally,
provoking this cycle of animosity,
turning the face of God away from us,
and blocking the flow of God’s love in our lives.
and to you my sisters and brothers,
that we have sinned against God and against you,
in thought, word, and deed,
deliberately and unintentionally,
provoking this cycle of animosity,
turning the face of God away from us,
and blocking the flow of God’s love in our lives.
At the following, those on the left strike their chest at each grievance.
We have wounded Jesus within you.
We have hurt you deeply.
We have caused you to stumble.
We have not taken responsibility for our actions.
We have not called ourselves to account.
We have reminded you of the past.
We have instilled fear in your hearts.
We have been disrespectful to your wishes.
We have lied and spoken untruths.
We have hurled insults and undermined you.
We have regarded you with contempt.
We have manipulated you.
We have devised tactics to cause you more pain.
We have not forgiven you as Christ forgave us.
We have judged you more than ourselves.
We have demonized you and dehumanized you.
We have made you feel less worthy to stand before God.
We have made you feel less loved by God.
We have used you and betrayed your trust.
We blame only ourselves.
We have hurt you deeply.
We have caused you to stumble.
We have not taken responsibility for our actions.
We have not called ourselves to account.
We have reminded you of the past.
We have instilled fear in your hearts.
We have been disrespectful to your wishes.
We have lied and spoken untruths.
We have hurled insults and undermined you.
We have regarded you with contempt.
We have manipulated you.
We have devised tactics to cause you more pain.
We have not forgiven you as Christ forgave us.
We have judged you more than ourselves.
We have demonized you and dehumanized you.
We have made you feel less worthy to stand before God.
We have made you feel less loved by God.
We have used you and betrayed your trust.
We blame only ourselves.
In doing all this, we separated ourselves
from communion with you and with God,
trampled upon your dignity,
denied that you are created in the image of God,
and so grieved the Holy Spirit.
We acknowledge your hurt and your pain.
from communion with you and with God,
trampled upon your dignity,
denied that you are created in the image of God,
and so grieved the Holy Spirit.
We acknowledge your hurt and your pain.
We ask that you forgive us for these
and all other sins against you,
apologizing for these and all other wrongdoings
we have committed against you.
We are truly sorry, and turning to you
in sorrow and good faith,
we promise to make amends
and to make things right between us.
We promise to be more understanding.
We promise to listen.
We commit ourselves to walk forward with you
with renewed hearts and minds,
not looking to the past,
but looking forward to a future together.
Although we are unworthy,
through our many sins against you
give us another chance,
not weighing our past,
but regarding our repentance.
and all other sins against you,
apologizing for these and all other wrongdoings
we have committed against you.
We are truly sorry, and turning to you
in sorrow and good faith,
we promise to make amends
and to make things right between us.
We promise to be more understanding.
We promise to listen.
We commit ourselves to walk forward with you
with renewed hearts and minds,
not looking to the past,
but looking forward to a future together.
Although we are unworthy,
through our many sins against you
give us another chance,
not weighing our past,
but regarding our repentance.
We want to restore this relationship,
and we commit ourselves to reconciliation and peace.
Let us walk together again as sisters and brothers
of one Father and build each other up
as a temple wherein dwells the Holy Spirit of God.
Amen.
and we commit ourselves to reconciliation and peace.
Let us walk together again as sisters and brothers
of one Father and build each other up
as a temple wherein dwells the Holy Spirit of God.
Amen.
Those on the right of the celebrant, facing those on the left, say
In the Name of God who loves us,
we embrace you once again
and welcome you back into our hearts.
What is past is past.
We lift you up.
Know that we forgive you, and be at peace.
As God restored fellowship with humankind
through the humility and love
in the Cross of Jesus Christ,
so do we restore our communion with you.
Let us make a new beginning together,
as sisters and brothers,
with unity and peace,
faithful to God’s commands,
and loving each other as Christ loved us.
Be you glad, dearest friends in Christ, you are forgiven.
We love you as our own.
Amen.
we embrace you once again
and welcome you back into our hearts.
What is past is past.
We lift you up.
Know that we forgive you, and be at peace.
As God restored fellowship with humankind
through the humility and love
in the Cross of Jesus Christ,
so do we restore our communion with you.
Let us make a new beginning together,
as sisters and brothers,
with unity and peace,
faithful to God’s commands,
and loving each other as Christ loved us.
Be you glad, dearest friends in Christ, you are forgiven.
We love you as our own.
Amen.
The Ministers and People now stand.
The Celebrant asks the congregation,
Will you turn again to Christ as Lord?
We will.
We will.
Do you, then, forgive those who have sinned against you?
We do.
We do.
Do you repent of the sins that draw you away from the love of God
and from communion with each other?
We do.
and from communion with each other?
We do.
Will you seek and serve Christ in each other, loving each other as yourself?
We will.
We will.
Will you strive for righteousness and peace, and respect the dignity of your sisters and brothers?
We will.
We will.
RESPONSORY
Ezekiel 36.24-28
Ezekiel 36.24-28
I will take you from the nations,
and gather you from all the countries to bring you home.
I will sprinkle clean water upon you,
and cleanse you from all your uncleanness and false gods.
A new heart I will give you,
and a new spirit I will put within you.
I will remove your heart of stone
and give you a heart of flesh.
Follow my statutes
and be careful to observe my ordinances.
Then you shall live in the promised land:
you shall be my people,
and I will be your God.
and gather you from all the countries to bring you home.
I will sprinkle clean water upon you,
and cleanse you from all your uncleanness and false gods.
A new heart I will give you,
and a new spirit I will put within you.
I will remove your heart of stone
and give you a heart of flesh.
Follow my statutes
and be careful to observe my ordinances.
Then you shall live in the promised land:
you shall be my people,
and I will be your God.
The Celebrant gives the absolution, pouring water over the stones, and saying
As you have humbled yourselves,
cast down your pride,
and have been lifted up by God in his people,
Almighty God have mercy on you,
forgive you all your sins
through the grace of our Saviour Jesus Christ,
strengthen you in all goodness,
and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life.
Amen.
cast down your pride,
and have been lifted up by God in his people,
Almighty God have mercy on you,
forgive you all your sins
through the grace of our Saviour Jesus Christ,
strengthen you in all goodness,
and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life.
Amen.
The processional cross is now unveiled. A joyous hymn is sung.
THE PEACE
The Celebrant introduces the Peace, saying
People of God in Christ Jesus,
the Peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.
the Peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.
The Peace is exchanged. The Celebrant may encourage the reconciled to “mingle” and sit with another person from the other side.
The liturgy continues with the Eucharist.
Thanksgiving Psalm after Post-Communion: Psalm 126
Joshua Ligan 2010.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Licence. You are free to share, copy, distribute, display, and perform the work; or to make derivative works, provided that you attribute the work in the manner specified by the author or licensor. You may not use this work for commercial purposes.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Licence. You are free to share, copy, distribute, display, and perform the work; or to make derivative works, provided that you attribute the work in the manner specified by the author or licensor. You may not use this work for commercial purposes.
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