Scripture: Isaiah 55:1-9
God’s version of confession and penance is entirely different from the world’s understanding of confession and penance. During Lent we have to let go of the anxiety that comes from the long-held cultural myth that confessing can only make things worse.
Penance is to accept responsibility and to repair what is broken. Penance means we take out our needle and thread and we stitch up what was torn. Lent is a season of penance, not of punishment.
Our God will abundantly pardon, and confession is a beginning. Confession can break forth into penance and repair in a way that is actually better than it was before. It’s about getting right with one another and getting right with God. Restoring relationships is at the heart of all of it. God’s relationship with God’s people.
What are acts of penance you can take during Lent to restore relationships with those around you?
Note: There was a technical issue with the recording at the beginning of Melissa’s sermon, so the first minute or two was cut off.
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