Repentance as response
Prayer
Contemporary Lectionary Prayers
Based Upon Cycle C Lectionary Gospels
Gospel Theme:
Repentance as response
Gospel Note:
It is important to remember that the two parables in today's lesson are offered as an answer to the criticism of the scribes and Pharisees in v. 2 to the effect that Jesus ''accepts'' sinners. The parables indicate that God not only accepts sinners, but goes out of the way to seek them out and restore them, and that repentance is a response to that gracious divine initiative. The ''until'' (as opposed to ''if'') in vv. 4 and 8 suggests that God's pursuit in recovery of the lost is relentless.
Liturgical Color:
Green
Suggested Hymns:
Forgive Our Sins As We Forgive
Let Me Be Yours Forever
Oh, Sing Jubilee To The Lord
The King Of Love My Shepherd Is
Amazing Grace, How Sweet The Sound
112
Proper 19 -- Pentecost 17 -- OT 24
Lord, we have trouble adding up what your
Grace means!
The Pharisees and the scribes had the same
trouble. Sinners and tax collectors should not be
included!
By our calculations, you are not being fair
with us!
Upon taking a closer look, however, we realize
that if you were to be fair, we would get what
we deserve rather than the gracious gifts we
have received from your hand.
Thank you for not limiting your actions on our
behalf to what would be considered fair.
We are grateful that your Son taught us how to do
a new type of math: how to be forgiven and
how to forgive.
It all adds up from your point of view.
Your forgiveness heals our brokenness and enables
us to help heal the brokenness of others.
We will never be able to calculate what your
grace means in our lives.
We are able to thank you and praise you.
Amen.
113
Repentance as response
Gospel Note:
It is important to remember that the two parables in today's lesson are offered as an answer to the criticism of the scribes and Pharisees in v. 2 to the effect that Jesus ''accepts'' sinners. The parables indicate that God not only accepts sinners, but goes out of the way to seek them out and restore them, and that repentance is a response to that gracious divine initiative. The ''until'' (as opposed to ''if'') in vv. 4 and 8 suggests that God's pursuit in recovery of the lost is relentless.
Liturgical Color:
Green
Suggested Hymns:
Forgive Our Sins As We Forgive
Let Me Be Yours Forever
Oh, Sing Jubilee To The Lord
The King Of Love My Shepherd Is
Amazing Grace, How Sweet The Sound
112
Proper 19 -- Pentecost 17 -- OT 24
Lord, we have trouble adding up what your
Grace means!
The Pharisees and the scribes had the same
trouble. Sinners and tax collectors should not be
included!
By our calculations, you are not being fair
with us!
Upon taking a closer look, however, we realize
that if you were to be fair, we would get what
we deserve rather than the gracious gifts we
have received from your hand.
Thank you for not limiting your actions on our
behalf to what would be considered fair.
We are grateful that your Son taught us how to do
a new type of math: how to be forgiven and
how to forgive.
It all adds up from your point of view.
Your forgiveness heals our brokenness and enables
us to help heal the brokenness of others.
We will never be able to calculate what your
grace means in our lives.
We are able to thank you and praise you.
Amen.
113
