...We acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness, which we from time to time most grievously have committed, by thought, word, and deed....
(Book of Common Prayer, p. 331)
We didn't pray the "Confession of Sin" from the Rite One Eucharist, but it would have been fine with me if we had. I like the old prayers from time to time. My sins and wickedness are surely manifold, and it's a good thing for me to occasionally acknowledge that to be so. I'm feeling sorry and determined to do better, and clean and shriven, at least for the moment.
As I left church today, I told the rector that I was rid of my manifold sins and wickedness, and he laughed and said, "Yeah, for 5 minutes". I think he's on to me.
Through the magic on the Internet Tubes, now we can all keep a list of your manifold sins.
ReplyDeleteAnd for that zinger, I'm off to our As Wednesday service tonight, but it was totally worth it!
KJ, you already know enough to make a fairly long list, perhaps long enough to put me in the category of "notorious sinner".
ReplyDeleteFrom the BCP, p. 265:
This season of Lent provided a time in which converts to the faith were prepared for Holy Baptism. It was also a time when those who, because of notorious sins, had been separated from the body of the faithful were reconciled by penitence and forgiveness, and restored to the fellowship of the Church.
5 minutes is probably as good as we get...
ReplyDeleteYou're right, Göran.
ReplyDeleteAn Irishman moves into a tiny hamlet in County Kerry, walks into the pub and promptly orders three beers. The bartender raises his eyebrows, but serves the man three beers, which he drinks quietly at a table, alone. An hour later, the man has finished the three beers and orders three more. This happens yet again. The next evening the man again orders and drinks three beers at a time, several times.
ReplyDeleteSoon the entire town is whispering about the Man Who Orders Three Beers. Finally, a week later, the bartender broaches the subject on behalf of the town. "I don't mean to pry, but folks around here are wondering why you always order three beers?"
"Tis odd, isn't it?" the man replies, "You see, I have two brothers, and one went to America, and the other to Australia. We promised each other that we would always order an extra two beers whenever we drank as a way of keeping up the family bond."
The bartender and the whole town was pleased with this answer, and soon the Man Who Orders Three Beers became a local celebrity and source of pride to the hamlet, even to the extent that out-of-towners would come to watch him drink.
Then, one day, the man comes in and orders only two beers. The bartender pours them with a heavy heart. This continues for the rest of the evening: he orders only two beers. The word flies around town. Prayers are offered for the soul of one of the brothers. The next day, the bartender says to the man, "Folks around here, me first of all, want to offer condolences to you for the death of your brother. You know - the two beers and all..."
The man ponders this for a moment, then replies, "You'll be happy to hear that my two brothers are alive and well. It's just that I, meself, have decided to give up drinking for Lent."
Thanks for the laugh, Dennis. I gave up beer for Lent, too. Of course, I hardly ever drink beer.
ReplyDelete