A few months ago, I started attending an Orthodox church. It’s different from what I’ve always been accustomed to.

What I find most appealing about it is that in the liturgical readings, we all read together and confess that we have sinned exceedingly in thought, word, and deed by our own fault. No one pretends to be innocent or without sin. No one acts or thinks themselves better than others. No one judges anyone else. We’re all guilty, we all know it, and we all admit to it.

Today was Maundy Thursday, also known as Holy Thursday, a Christian holy day commemorating the Last Supper and Jesus’ washing of the feet. The word “Maundy” comes from the Latin “mandatum,” meaning “commandment” or “mandate,” referring to Jesus’ command to “love one another.” It’s the Thursday before Easter and marks the beginning of the Paschal Triduum.

At church tonight, we confessed to one another for having sinned against each other and God. Then we replied, “As God forgives, so do I.” So to anyone reading this: I confess, I have sinned against you and God, and I ask for your forgiveness.

The below links are previous writings of mine: 1.Love each other deeply 2.Becoming whole starts with forgiving. 3. I need to forgive someone.

https://godsbygrace.com/2025/03/15/love-each-other-deeply/

https://godsbygrace.com/2025/03/15/becoming-whole/

https://godsbygrace.com/2024/12/01/needtoforgive/