CANDLES

We light a light in the name of the God who creates life, the savior who loves life, and the Spirit who is the fire of life. Be still and aware of God’s presence within and all around.

 

READ: JOHN 13:21-32

 

PONDER

What word or phrase stands out to you in the reading? What does betrayal mean to you? Have you ever felt that you betrayed someone? What might it mean that even Judas received the bread of Christ’s body?

 

ACT: CONFESSION

Take time to silently confess before God your sins, your fears, and your failings. If you have kids, explain that confession simply means saying that you are sorry to God or someone else, and that God always forgives us. Prayer of confession:

 

Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you

in thought, word, and deed,

by what we have done, and by what we have left undone.

We have not loved you with our whole heart;

we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.

We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.

For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us;

that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways,

to the glory of your Name. Amen.

 

PRAY

Lord God, whose blessed Son our Savior gave his body to be whipped and his face to be spit upon: Give us grace to accept joyfully the sufferings of the present time, confident of the glory that shall be revealed; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.