My High Priest (Shrove Tuesday)

Today, on Shrove Tuesday, I ponder the role of a priest. I do not actually go see a priest during Shrovetide, as Christ is my high priest and the only one who stands between me and God, without whom I would have no access to approach the throne of grace. And so, in pondering what it means to shrive, in its three-fold definition of 1) confessing 2) receiving penance 3) being absolved, I also ponder what these mean in relationship with Christ. Here is what came of today's ponderings:

My high priest
Hears my cry
Shows me the way
Says I’m released

My high priest
Takes my confession
Leads me straight
Declares me free

My high priest
Takes my shame
Hears the name
I call myself
He says I am the way
For the next 40 days
And I am the life
You lead and follow
And I am the light
That will guide
You through the darkness
Of the wilderness
So take my yoke
In exchange for your burdens
I’ll bear them for you
For they are death
And I am the truth
Whose name I give to you
To replace the lies
You tend to call yourself

My high priest
Hears my heart
Sets me apart
And makes me clean

My high priest
Hears my cry for mercy
Says come and follow me
And is my Hope.