(This fresco is on the wall of our apartment, above where I sit to write. Origin unknown. I like to imagine her leading me in worship.)
On Fridays, we Episcopalians say the confession to begin our office of Morning Prayer. Here is the form found in Enriching Our Worship 1, which differs from the one in the Book of Common Prayer in an important way; it recognizes sin as corporate, not just individual.
"God of all mercy, we confess that we have sinned against you, opposing your will in our lives. We have denied your goodness in each other, in ourselves, and in the world you have created. We repent of the evil that enslaves us, the evil we have done, and the evil done on our behalf. Forgive, restore, and strengthen us through our Savior Jesus Christ, that we may abide in your love and serve only your will. Amen."
Today, as we digest the horrific news of more mass shootings in places of worship, let us offer prayers for the victims and all who are affected. But let us also examine our lives for the ways in which we are enslaved by evil. The powers and principalities of this world deceive us into thinking that there is no other way to live -- that there is no way out of being unwitting participants in systems that oppress some and favor others.
The prophets call on Israel over and over again to "repent and return to the Lord." Repentance is more than an apology. It is amendment of life, a turning and re-turning to God. It begins with the awareness of our sin. And not just our personal sin, but the "evil done on our behalf."
It is big, I know. We don't have to change everything in one day -- we can't. But that doesn't mean we can't be aware, and heartbroken, and work every day in the ways within our power to truly repent and return to the Lord.
Here's an example. I know several people who for Lent are using no single-use plastics. Buying a bottle of water or popping a K-cup in the coffeemaker doesn't seem like sin, but the degradation of this planet over which we have been given stewardship is real, and this is one thing within the power of an individual to do. This may not be your thing. That's OK. Find something that is your thing, and do it. Today. And then tomorrow. And if you mess up, that's OK. It gives you another chance to repent and return.
"Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all your sins through the grace of Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. Amen."