The Collect for this Sunday coming

It often strikes me how in the Apostles Creed one of the defining features of our faith is highlighted as our belief in the forgiveness of sins.

In the Nicene Creed this is nuanced somewhat, and we profess belief in one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. Even so, in these creeds, we Christians cannot profess our faith without also professing faith in forgiveness.

Pardon and mercy are to the fore in this Sunday’s Collect too – as the defining character of God’s power.

In prayer we will ask for that love in action, that love in action which changes how we are before God and with each other.

As we prepare to pray this way, we might spend time considering what in us needs mercy and pardon, and also how we might share the treasure with others – as we hasten, and seek to make haste, to deeper communion in the Church and with God.

Collect for the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time

O God, who manifest your almighty power
above all by pardoning and showing mercy,
bestow, we pray, your grace abundantly upon us
and make those hastening to attain your promises
heirs to the treasures of heaven.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

Collect for

Acknowledgements
~ Translation of the Collect: English translation of The Roman Missal © 2010, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved..
~ Commentary: (c) 2020, Allen Morris
~ Photograph: (c) 2012, Allen Morris. Paralympics, London.