God.
Have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.

Your people have asked that for as long as you have had people.
For as long as there have been people.
For as long as there has been death that feels untimely and illness that endures.
For as long as there has been weakness and those who exploit it.
For as long as there has been hopefulness thwarted.
For as long as we’ve been unmotivated and unrepentant.

Lord, have mercy.

Which, Jesus, it sounds like you said, too,
when you offered up prayers with fervent cries to the one who could save you from death,
and you were heard,
and you still died.

And yet, you are now alive,
and do now understand from the inside the pain we feel in death and illness,
in weakness and attack,
in frustration and loneliness.

And you know how to forgive those who push aside your invitations
with the “no” of a two-year old, as you forgave those who killed you.

Have mercy on us, O God, according to your steadfast love.

We ask through Christ our Lord, who understands.

Amen.

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Reflecting today’s readings from Psalm 51 and Hebrews 5:5-10.