Lent 33

Lord and God,

What evil comes bubbling up from the heart of man in the absence of right rule. When there was no king in your land and all did what was right in their own eyes, your people manufactured idols, corrupted priests, and worked perverse violence.

And when you walked among us, Lord Jesus, our king of kings, your rule was rejected. We asked what gives you the authority, the right, over me? It was the question of the ravenous horde, those who had made kings and gods of their own pleasure and imagination. Many feigned interest in you, but, like the evil tenants, were only interested in what they could take from you. Have mercy on us, Lord, rebels, liars, users and abusers. For though you are David’s Son, you are first his Lord; though you came in weakness, with you is everlasting might; though many stumble over you, you are the Cornerstone. Let us learn to fear the Lord through you. Let us tremble at the presence of the God of Jacob, the God of the living, who raised you up, and with you, every sinner who accepts mercy in you. For what we cannot make for ourselves or take from you, you give us freely in the kingdom of your power.