Liturgical Highlight :: By What We Have Done, and By What We Have Left Undone

In order to prepare our hearts for the Eucharist, we engage in the act of Confession. This is participation in a humbling acknowledgement of our sinfulness, as we corporately recite liturgical admissions while simultaneously coming face-to-face with our individual shortcomings. This element of our liturgy allows us to come before the Lord with open hands and honest hearts, exposing the darkness of our souls so that we may experience the freedom of His grace and mercy. The Confession has the power to be a highly transformative element of our service, should we allow it to be. Should we not allow it, the Confession may leave us riddled with fear, anxiety, guilt, or passivity - none of which are the intended outcomes of Christ’s death on the Cross.

We recite a line that declares, “We confess that we have sinned… By what we have done, and by what we have left undone.” For me, this small dichotomy between that which has happened and that which has not yet come to pass opens up a deeper pathway to the depth of my sin. It is challenging enough to come face-to-face with the actions I have already committed out of my brokenness: I become utterly aware of how my anger, envy, pride, gluttony, and lust - all rooted in self-interest - have manifested in tangible behavior, bringing harm to myself and others.

But what about my lack of action, which is also, undoubtedly, rooted in self-interest? Why do I passively observe the world around me when I am confronted with a specific area of need? Perhaps because it is “not in my lane,” and the comfort of complacency allows me to leave this work for another, “more holy” soul. Why have I not sought forgiveness in my familial/personal relationships? Probably because my pride has told me I do not need to, that I can just carry on and leave the dynamics as they are. Why has my own ignorance blinded me to areas of brokenness in my life that are in need of redemption? Most likely because I have chosen to avoid the inner work which is necessary to acknowledge the deep, twisted catacomb that is the sin in my soul.

As we confess these heavy truths in the context of community, we experience the unifying power of the Spirit that happens two-fold: we are unified in our brokenness, and then unified as the redeemed people of God. Our hearts are humbled, and our souls begin to find restoration. We confess so that we may be reminded of our own fragility - and, more importantly, be reminded of God’s abundant grace and relentless pursuit of His people. We can then be more fully propelled to love the world and share His forgiveness, just as He has loved and forgiven us.

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Are you interested in learning more about Anglicanism? You can find more resources on our website. We will also be hosting a Catechism class in the spring of 2021, from January 12th - May 4th. You can register here, or reach out to Katie Gayle with any questions.

In Love,
Brandon