CONFESSION OF SINS

READER: Our Righteous. Messiah said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit : for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

CONGREGATION: But we have been haughty in spirit, inflated with pride in our own self sufficiency. We have forgotten how needy we are.

READER: Our righteous Messiah said, "Blessed are those who mourn: for they shall be comforted."

CONGREGATION: But we have insulated ourselves from those around us: from their pain, their needs, their loneliness, their suffering. We have even hardened ourselves against the awareness that our own lives cause grief to God.

READER: Our Righteous Messiah said, "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.”

CONGREGATION: But we have valued toughness over gentleness, we have too often chose to "look out for number one." Like the prodigal son, we want what we want, and we want it now.

READER: Our Righteous Messiah said, Blessed are they that do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled."

CONGREGATION: But we have hungered after pleasures, the prestige and the possessions of this world. Like Esau we have too often despised our birthright in favor of more immediate gratification.

READER: Our Righteous Messiah said, "Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy."

CONGREGATION: But we have too often presided as harsh judges over the lives of others. We have been quick to fix blame. We have excused ourselves from any obligation to care or help.

READER: Our Righteous Messiah said: "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”

CONGREGATION: But we have defiled our hearts with idols of our own choosing. Doubting that God will keep his word we have hedged our bets seeking purpose, meaning and security in our jobs, our friends, our pleasures, and our projects --but not in God.

READER: Our Righteous Messiah said, "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."

CONGREGATION: But we are often at war with one another. In a thousand little ways we demand to be catered to. We seldom concern ourselves with serving others.

READER: Our Righteous Messiah said, "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is you reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

CONGREGATION: But we have too often retreated from disapproval of others, we've chosen the cloistered safety of religious in-groups, rather the risking the disapproval of those who need Messiah. We regard rejection for righteousness sake as a burden to be borne rather than an honor to be humbly received.

READER: Our Righteous Messiah said, "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till, all is fulfilled. Whosoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in, the kingdom of heaven; but whosoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by, no means enter the kingdom of heaven."

CONGREGATION: But we have too often substituted religious activities for obedience and love. We have been concerned about accumulating merit with the minimum of risk to our reputation. We want to serve God without getting our hands dirty.

READER: Our Righteous Messiah said, "You have heard that is was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder,' and whoever murders shall be in danger of the judgment. But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother 'Raca!' shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of hell fire."

CONGREGATION: But we consider ourselves exceptions. "We have a right to be angry.” The sun rises and sets and seasons change, while we warm ourselves by the fire of our anger. We have used our words to hurt others.

READER: Our Righteous Messiah said; "You have heard it said, 'You shall not commit adultery,' but I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart."

CONGREGATION: But we have indulged our eyes, reducing others to mere objects in order to gratify our fantasies.

READER: Our Righteous Messiah said, "Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.' But I say to you do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God's throne; nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes' and your 'No,' 'No.' For whatever is more than these is from the evil one."

CONGREGATION: But we know many ways to avoid saying what we mean. We have sworn deceitfully.

READER: Our Righteous Messiah said, "You have heard it said, 'You shall love you neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than,others? Do not even tax collectors do so?"

CONGREGATION: These words seem so impractical to us that we want to laugh. But then we remember that these are the words of the Living God... they are not impractical. We are unholy. We should not laugh but weep.

READER: We have hardened our hearts.

CONGREGATION: Messiah, Son of David, have mercy on us!

READER: We have stiffened our necks.

CONGREGATION: Messiah, Son of David, have mercy on us!

READER: We have been unholy in thought, word and deed.

CONGREGATION: Lord, heard our prayer!