As children, we learn the “magic words” please and thank you. They do indeed smooth the way for us throughout our lives. What do you suppose would happen if children also learned to say I’m sorry regularly? Perhaps as adults they would be more inclined to mend the fences that they inevitably break. Formal church liturgy has translated these basic building blocks of civility into Confession, Intercession and Thanksgiving. But at their heart they are still the magic words: I’m sorry, please, and thank you.
Forgiveness is our most precious gift,
The most Christ-like blessing we can share.
Come to us, God of peace.
Come with your healing and your reconciling power.
Come, that fear may be cast out by love;
Jesus, you set before us the way of wisdom: to care for the poor, feed the hungry, share instead of hoard our possessions, but it is a way that is counter to the ways of the world.
read more
