I write this Bishop’s Note while taking a class on the
Ministry of Pastoral Care at Wheaton College. This is not an Anglican class but
they are using the 2019 BCP for their worship and workshops. We just concluded
a teaching on accepting forgiveness and the speaker used the absolution form
the 2019 BCP. I find this significant because it is confirmation that
Christians as a whole are discovering the beauty and power of this book.
Last week in our examination of the service of Morning
Prayer in the BCP, we studied the confession of sin. This week as we continue
our examination we look at the pronouncement of absolution. Webster’s
Dictionary tells us that absolution is a noun and means, “(1) The formal
release from guilt, obligation or punishment. (2) An ecclesiastical declaration
of forgiveness of sin.”
You’ll remember from my previous Bishop’s Note that the
service of Morning Prayer can be led by clergy or lay people and that it
literally brought worship and scripture into the homes of lay men and woman in addition
to the church. Thus, we have three forms for pronouncement of absolution:
The first form is drawn from the 1662 BCP and reminds us
that the desire of God is that we as sinners may turn from our sin and live. It
further speaks to the role of priest, speaking in “persona Christi” as Christ
himself, pronouncing that forgiveness of sin to the truly repentant sinner. In
addition, the priest exhorts God to grant us His Holy Spirit giving us the
grace to live into the forgiveness provided which transforms lives and assists
us in godly and holy living.
The second form is a more direct and straightforward
pronouncement of absolution and remission of sin. This combination with
“remission” is an important one. Too often, we associate this word with
illness. “The cancer is in remission” is a phrase we hear. However, that gives
the sense that it may come back. In the theological sense, remission is
synonymous with exculpation. Again looking to the dictionary: “To exculpate
means to find someone not guilty of criminal charges.” Exculpate comes from two
Latin words: ex- meaning "from," and culpa meaning "blame."
Exculpate is similar in meaning to exonerate. When you exonerate someone, you
clear a person of an accusation and any suspicion that goes along with it. Not
only are we forgiven, we are also released from blame and guilt!
The third form is meant for a deacon or layperson who bids
God to grant repentant sinners “pardon and peace.” How beautiful to be reminded
that God will indeed grant pardon and peace at the bidding of any one of his
adopted children. Like “absolution and remission,” “pardon and peace” speaks to
not only the forgiveness of the sin or crime of which we are guilty, but in
addition, the peace that comes from the Holy Spirit which allows us to rest in
Christ, free of guilt and shame.
The 2019 BCP reminds us not only of the importance of the
confession of our sin but also of the promise of forgiveness that God offers.
The two go together hand in hand.
The Priest alone stands and says
Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, desires
not the death of sinners, but that they may turn from their wickedness and
live. He has empowered and commanded his ministers to pronounce to his people,
being penitent, the absolution and remission of their sins. He pardons and
absolves all who truly repent and genuinely believe his holy Gospel. For this
reason, we beseech him to grant us true repentance and his Holy Spirit, that
our present deeds may please him, the rest of our lives may be pure and holy,
and that at the last we may come to his eternal joy; through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
or this
The Almighty and merciful Lord grant you absolution and
remission of all your sins, true repentance, amendment of life, and the grace
and consolation of his Holy Spirit. Amen.
A Deacon or layperson remains
kneeling and prays
Grant to your faithful people, merciful Lord, pardon and
peace; that we may be cleansed from all our sins, and serve you with a quiet
mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
I pray you all a very blessed day!
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