Morning Prayer
+ In the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Opening sentences
One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.
Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.
Pilgrimage
Psalm 132:1
Lord , remember David and all that he suffered.
Ruth 1:16
But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.”
John 15:11-12
I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.
Reflection
Whenever we go to New England we make a point of visiting Weston Priory in the Vermont hills. The peacefulness of the place itself, the wooden chapel, the beautiful songs of the brothers at prayer…
Peace I leave you with, My friends. ..
I have called you now…
and their involvement in the sanctuary movement and God’s heart for justice. ..
Because of our belief in God as Spirit
we choose to affirm and encourage
the prophetic voices
that recognize both the sin
and the need of our time.
Because of our belief in
the Church as community
we choose to have no superiors or
inferiors among us.
We choose to be a community
that dances and sings,
in spite of the tendencies of our times
to despair and cynicism.
(‘Renewal of baptismal vows’, Weston Priory)
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Be glad with dance and song,
let joy ring free:
God’s love renews our hope.
(Philip Franckiewicz, Weston )
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This renewal of hope is spoken of also in this description of life in another community.
This morning during the common prayer I suddenly became aware of the quality of my brothers and I am moved to the depths of my heart. They give their life – all their life. They pay dearly the price of their commitment. I know that better than any. Then I can no longer say if my admiration is for my brothers or for Christ who has to set his mark on thrm.
(Brother Roger of Taizé)
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Canticle:
Christ, as a light
illumine and guide me.
Christ, as a shield
overshadow me.
Christ under me;
Christ over me;
Christ beside me
on my left and my right.
This day be within and without me,
lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.
Be in the heart of each to whom I speak;
in the mouth of each who speaks unto me.
This day be within and without me,
lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.
Christ as a light;
Christ as a shield;
Christ beside me
on my left and my right.
Blessing
May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you,
wherever He may send you.
May He guide you through the wilderness,
protect you through the storm.
May He bring you home rejoicing
at the wonders He has shown you.
May He bring you home rejoicing
once again into our doors.
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
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Peanut Gallery: The general format for Morning Prayer is adapted from the Northumbrian Community‘s Daily Office, as found in Celtic Daily Prayer (see online resources here.) Our Scripture readings and reflections will be taken from the Aidan Daily Readings (Celtic Daily Prayer) during the month of July. On Sundays, we’ll return to the USCCB readings (see online resources here) and various liturgical resources in order to reflect the Church’s worship and concerns throughout the world. Photo illustrations and music videos, available online, are included as they illustrate or illuminate the readings. I will try to give credit and link to sources as best I can.