Epiphany 46

Lord and God,

You have saved a rebellious house. Yet act, not for our righteousness but for yours. We are the people called by your name, circumcised in flesh but not in heart. You give demonstrations of your miraculous mercies; we lie in wait to condemn you. You defeat our spiritual enemies; we call you one of them. Your own family—brother, sister, mother—think you mad.

Even the Father, in his kindness to us, must forsake you. But just as surely he will raise you. For you are his only Son to have listened to his voice. Sing aloud to God our strength. In distress we called and were delivered. He has given us a new heart, his own Son’s.