In the Liturgy for Ash Wednesday, we are invited into the disciplines of Lent which include self-examination and repentance. We work to live into this particular discipline at least in part though the inclusion of and Order for Confession and Forgiveness as part of our worship service. However, this Order, at times runs the risk of being a thing we do as a matter of Rote rather than a matter of Ritual meant to help us know how follow Jesus more closely as well as where we need his forgiveness most acutely. To help us enter our time of confession more aware of what we are bringing to God, I want to invite you over the course of the next five Sundays to reflect on the Ten Commandments two at a time as well as their meanings from Martin Luther’s  Small Catechism. In our confession we often use the blanket statement of confessing “the things we have done and the things we have left undone.” Luther in his explanations of the commandments, tries to bring out what the commandments prohibit us from as well as what they prescribe for us to do in keeping them more fully. As you reflect on the commandments, bring to God not only where you have failed by breaking the commandments, but also envision the repentant life God is inviting you to of keeping the commandment more fully. Finally, bring all of this to God as we gather this morning for confession.

Reflect on the Ten Commandments two at a time through the Five Sundays of Lent, not including Palm Sunday.

The First Commandment

You shall have no other gods.

What does this mean?

We are to fear, love, and trust God above all things.

The Second Commandment

You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the Lord your God.

What does this mean?

We are to fear and love God, so that we do not curse, swear, practice magic, lie, or deceive using God’s name, but instead use that very name in every time of need to call on, pray to, praise, and give thanks to God.

The Third Commandment

Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy.

What does this mean?

We are to fear and love God, so that we do not despise preaching or God’s word, but instead keep that word holy and gladly hear and learn it.

The Fourth Commandment

Honor your father and your mother.

What does this mean?

We are to fear and love God, so that we neither despise nor anger our parents and others in authority, but instead honor, serve, obey, love, and respect them.

The Fifth Commandment

You shall not murder.

What does this mean?

We are to fear and love God, so that we neither endanger nor harm the lives of our neighbors, but instead help and support them in all of life’s needs.

The Sixth Commandment

You shall not commit adultery.

What does this mean?

We are to fear and love God, so that we lead pure and decent lives in word and deed, and each of us loves and honors his or her spouse.

The Seventh Commandment

You shall not steal.

What does this mean?

We are to fear and love God, so that we neither take our neighbors’ money or property nor acquire them by using shoddy merchandise or crooked deals, but instead help them to improve and protect their property and income.

The Eighth Commandment

You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

What does this mean?

We are to fear and love God, so that we do not tell lies about our neighbors, betray or slander them, or destroy their reputations. Instead we are to come to their defense, speak well of them, and interpret everything they do in the best possible light.

The Ninth Commandment

You shall not covet your neighbor’s house.

What does this mean?

We are to fear and love God, so that we do not try to trick our neighbors out of their inheritance or property or try to get it for ourselves by claiming to have a legal right to it and the like, but instead be of help and service to them in keeping what is theirs.

The Tenth Commandment

You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or male or female slave, or ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.

What does this mean?

We are to fear and love God, so that we do not entice, force, or steal away from our neighbors their spouses, household workers, or livestock, but instead urge them to stay and fulfill their responsibilities to our neighbors.

Give time for reflection

Amen