This confession and assurance originally appeared in "Great Fifty Days—Easting Morning."
We Bow in Prayer and Confession
O Christ, after your resurrection you appeared to your disciples;
you breathed on them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.
You gave joy and exultation to the whole creation.
Through your victory, we pray to you:
Hear us, Lord of glory.
O Christ, breathe on us your peace,
that our eyes may be opened to recognize you in the breaking of the bread,
and to follow wherever you lead.
Hear us, Lord of glory.
Sung Prayer
“Open Our Eyes, Lord” Maranatha Music
Scripture Reading: Matthew 25:31–40, The Judgment of the Nations
Reader 1: When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
Reader 2: Then the King will say to those on his right, "Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me."
Reader 3: Then the righteous will answer him, "Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go visit you?"
Reader 2: The King will reply, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me
Prayer of Confession
Let us pray.
Almighty God, in raising Jesus from the grave, you shattered the power of sin and death.
We confess that we remain captive to doubt and fear, bound by the ways that lead to death. We overlook the poor and the hungry and pass by those who mourn. We are deaf to the cries of the oppressed and indifferent to calls for peace. We despise the weak and abuse the earth you made.
Forgive us, God of mercy.
Help us to trust your power to change our lives and make us new,
that we may know the joy of life abundant,
given in Jesus Christ, the risen Lord. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
Romans 6:1b–10
