We Know Who We Are

Years ago, my big project was to make a compendium of all the Prayers of Confession I’ve written across the years. Quite a few of them are pretty good. My working title was “We Know Who We Are: Prayers of Confession for the Christian Year”. But I guess it proved too much for me… I may yet do it. Someday. Texts to be heard during the upcoming weekend could be seen as ancient history–OR they could be analogies of our contemporary crimes against God (COMmission and OMmission); and, of course, God’s ultimate grace.

JOEL 2:23-32 is most famous for a reading on Pentecost: verses 28 & 29 speak of the “pouring out of the spirit”. But there’s a lot more in there! The expression of Grace is especially noted in the Recognition Formula, “You shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I, the Lord, am your God and there is no other.” God announces that even though our darkness is terrifying, there is coming an Ultimate Light. A happy ending is in store! In all of this, do we know who we are?

A side trip into PSALM 65 is in order: a reading generally reserved for harvest festivals also includes the verse, “When deeds of iniquity overwhelm us, you forgive our transgressions.”

We’re still perusing the mentoring of TIMOTHY, II 4:6-8,16-18. Paul (?) isn’t hung up on his previous hostility to the Christian movement, but gives thanks for the many opportunities of a full and prosperous life. The author acknowledges that there’ll be conflict, and occasion to bemoan our shortcomings and brokenness. Yet the disciple can be assured that even the “most hopeless” can know who they are–and move on from there, guided by Christ.

So Jesus tells a parable (as retold in LUKE 18:9-14) about the best of guys and the worst, both praying in the Temple. Surprisingly, the Pharisee with all of his lengthy prayers and fancy clothes has to leave empty–mostly because he thought himself better than the (UGH!) Tax Collector. This despised Tax Collector was justified–made right with God–not for his behavior, but for his willingness to admit his imperfections. “All who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.” Obviously the fellow knew who he was, as opposed to the holier-than-thou Pharisee who was blinded by his own glitz…

I once thought that when I grew Old, I wouldn’t be as prone to separation from God. Wrong!! Not to have a pity-party, but I realize more ‘n’ more how imperfect and broken I am! I need these times of Confession to admit to these defects–and our culture also needs to know who we are…

In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King

Please join me on Tuesdays at horacebrownking.com to be met by scripture lessons to be read on the upcoming weekend.