Thursday, July 7, 2011

Absolution






















I find myself steeped in sin
and long to be made clean
so I hike over to the local
church and get in line

there are six before me, and soon
there are eight behind me;
I am a sinner in the midst of sin

the line moves slowly for
sin isn't washed away
with a swipe of the cloth
it takes a bit of scrubbing, and
scrubbing takes time

a rosary and a divine mercy chaplet
and it's my turn in the box
I offer my sins wrapped in
sorrow and contrition
and receive advice and penance in return

and then it comes-
the prayer that has the power
to thrill me every time
I hear it-

"God the Father of mercies,
through the death and resurrection of his Son
has reconciled the world to himself
and sent the Holy Spirit among us
for the forgiveness of sins;
through the ministry of the Church
may God give you pardon and peace,
and I absolve you from your sins
in the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit."


and with those beautiful words
that sound remarkably like
God saying "I love you"
I am renewed, refreshed and redeemed
and can walk upright on
the return journey to the rest of my life

6 comments:

  1. It never ceases to amaze me how generous God is to give us this sacrament. I know exactly what you mean by the power of "that prayer" and the relief it brings. It saddens me that so many people dread this sacrament. I dread being without it! Great post :)

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  2. I know I say this all the time, Anne, but I'm going to say it once more:
    You have a beautiful way with words!

    I loved the "I am a sinner in the midst of sin" and your comment that the words of absolution sound remarkably like "I love you" :) Yes, they sure do!

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  3. Today your words speak to my soul like you can never know. Thank you

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  4. I love those words! "I absolve you of your sins" Go in peace!

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  5. Absolution is the best and it is a big I LOVE YOU from our God. The absolution prayer is so beautiful. It is nice to see it in print.

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  6. I felt like I was the one saying and writing those words. Truly a real and beautiful poem for us who, time after time, commit sins even though we know it. Thank you for reminding us.

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