3 September Revd Andy Chislett-McDonald

Absolution. Scripture, reflection and praise. 
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Michael 7:18-20 "Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity
    and passing over the transgression
    of the remnant of your possession?
He does not retain his anger forever,
    because he delights in showing clemency.
He will again have compassion upon us;
    he will tread our iniquities under foot.

You will cast all our sins
    into the depths of the sea.
You will show faithfulness to Jacob
    and unswerving loyalty to Abraham,
as you have sworn to our ancestors
    from the days of old." NRSV

"Where is the god who can compare with you--
    wiping the slate clean of guilt,
Turning a blind eye, a deaf ear,
    to the past sins of your purged and precious people?
You don’t nurse your anger and don’t stay angry long,
    for mercy is your specialty. That’s what you love most.
And compassion is on its way to us.
    You’ll stamp out our wrongdoing.
You’ll sink our sins
    to the bottom of the ocean.
You’ll stay true to your word to Father Jacob
    and continue the compassion you showed Grandfather Abraham--
Everything you promised our ancestors
    from a long time ago." The Message

Reflection.  Yesterday's post was called 'repentance.' Today's passage reminds us of the greatness, depth and surety of the amazing grace of God.  

Compassion, clemency, mercy, pardoning and passing over of our iniquities.  Today we learn that because of Jesus we can know absolution of our sin and wrongdoing. Forgiveness and a continued relationship with the God, who loves us to the uttermost, are ours. 

"Who is a God like ours?" Or, "Where is the God who can compare to you?"
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Unearned forgiveness. 
Unconditional love. 
Unbelievable mercy. 
The promise kept in Jesus and the Cross.
Costly.

Praise. Thank you, Loving, Living Lord that you really do have mercy on me, a sinner. Thank you Jesus. Amen