This week was quite different. I have been, and still am, at my parent’s house in South Dakota (hence, no screencast this week). I came here when my stepdad was in the last days of suffering from lung cancer. As often happens, this week’s situation and this week’s Collect have become entwined.
O God,
who manifest your almighty power above all by pardoning and showing mercy,
bestow, we pray, your grace abundantly upon us and make those hastening to attain your promises heirs to the treasures of heaven.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
“O God, manifest your almighty power above all by pardoning and showing mercy.” Did you see what’s missing? Healing is not listed as God’s highest power and neither is raising the dead.
As I watched my stepdad in his last couple days, I learned a lot about what this prayer means. In the Gospels, Jesus tells the lame man that, first, his sins are forgiven, and second, to rise and walk. Have you ever considered forgiving sins Jesus’ greatest miracle?
As I thought about it more, I realized that forgiving our sins meets our greatest need. Without forgiveness we are separated from God and we have no hope of eternal life.
I also realized that if someone is graced with a physical healing, it’s still the forgiveness of sins that results in eternal life.
Forgiveness of sins is the reason Jesus came (Luke 19:10), and it required the greatest price, His death.
Though the mercy of God, this miracle, forgiveness of sins, is available to all.
I think this prayer and this week have changed my prayer. I’m wondering if I ask for forgiveness enough and I think I’ll take this opportunity to learn a new Act of Contrition.
Thanks for praying with me -
Julie