Rite of Confession: 2nd Advent (B)

"The four Sundays of Advent find us exploring the four themes of the lectionary texts that have emerged in our prayerful reflection: remembrance, waiting, imagination, and hope. Each Sunday attempts to bear these themes in mind cumulatively (i.e., First Sunday: remember; Second Sunday: remember, wait; etc.). The confessional rites of each Sunday will be shaped in part around these themes, specifically in the ways that we fail to remember God's promises; wait expectantly for God to do a new thing; imagine the world as God might and our part in it, and; hope for the life of the world that is on its way, especially in the Advent (both the first and second) of the Christ. I hope this helps in some small way."


Call to Reconciliation

In the gift of God’s word, there is at once a power, a patience, and a graciousness that characterize this God for whose promises we find the call and the courage to wait. And today we hear Advent’s invitation to remember God’s promise to come again and make us new, and to await its fulfillment with eager longing. We wait for God because God first waits for us. And a life turned toward repentance is the proper response to God’s gracious patience. So let us in our waiting confess, repent, and let go of all that would threaten to undo us. And let us listen again for the word that brings healing: forgiveness.

Prayer of Confession

Silence

Merciful God, we find ourselves headlong now in this Advent journey, where through remembering and waiting, we posture ourselves to experience your renewing grace. We speak of yearning, of listening, of watchfulness, and light. We speak of the joy of rediscovering you amidst all of our distractions and delight. The waiting-road is long and winding; is nothing if not torturous at times. We find that to be largely due to ourselves. We are an impatient people, O God; we want what we want, and we want it now. We fail to imagine that you, in your infinite patience, have desires, too. You invite us to make straight the path for your coming, to give care to those in need, to listen to those who are troubled, to extend the compassion of Christ to those who hurt. To be messengers of hope to the world. This is patient work for us, a people who despise waiting. Forgive us. Renew us. Grant us your holy patience, that in our waiting we may be found alert to your coming among us, again and again. Through Christ. Amen.

Pouring of the Baptismal Waters
Remember your baptism and be thankful!

Declaration of the Promise of Forgiveness

God waits patiently for us, giving us time and space enough to be made ready for the coming of the Promised One into our lives and - through us - into the life of the world again. Hear the glad tidings of the gospel of God: In Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!

Thanks be to God.

Amen!

Amen.

Gloria Patri

Passing of the Peace