Morning Prayer
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Opening sentence – Oswald of Northumbria (605-42)
This day is Your gift to me; I take it, Lord, from Your hand and thank You for the wonder of it.
God be with me in this Your day, every day and every way, with me and for me in this Your day; and the love and affection of heaven be toward me.
Morning readings
John 2:1-12 ESV:
Carl Bloch (1870s)
On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.
After this he went down to Capernaum, with his mother and his brothers and his disciples, and they stayed there for a few days.
Reflections / Prayer:
True Discipleship:
A key element in Jesus’ mother’s character, as in that of the first disciples, is her leaving of the initiative with Jesus. In this openness to Jesus’ will, we see her humility.
The picture of the mother of Jesus is very similar to that which shines through in the Synoptic accounts – Mary’s response to the annunciation, “May it be to me as you have said” and the spirituality of the Magnificat express this same docility before God. She is entirely Godward. She is poor in spirit and thus has entered the door of the kingdom of God described in the beatitudes.
The Glory of Jesus:
Jesus’ glory is revealed through both the supernatural power of the miracle and the imagery associated with it…. Here indeed is the one they have been waiting for. He himself is the good wine that has been kept back until now.
His glory is also evident in the graciousness of this event. In response to a humble request Jesus provides wine in abundance… a free, full, extravagant outpouring, and it is precisely the Son of God’s gratuitous, gracious generosity that is the glory revealed in this sign.
Jesus keeps a very low profile throughout the story with the result that only the servants realize what has happened. How often something similar happens in our lives! God’s grace constantly surrounds us; his love is constantly active in our lives. Yet often we fail to discern his love, seeing only the hands of those who give us the wine and not realizing where it comes from and the grace it represents.
Wonder-working God: Sometimes I get so caught up in myself that I can’t get beyond my wants and needs… my thoughts and opinions. I’m so caught up in me that I can’t see You. Forgive me.
Give me the poverty of spirit of Mother Mary so that I can get beyond myself. Give me an awareness of the needs of those around me and the opportunities they afford for You to display Your glory. Make me an obedient servant – willing to do what Jesus says, no matter how strange it may seem to me.
And when You do reveal Your glory, may I point people to its source – Your Son, Jesus. Amen.
__________
I caught a glimpse of Your splendor / In the corner of my eye / The most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen / And it was like a flash of lightning / Reflected off the sky / And I know I’ll never be the same
Show me Your glory / Send down Your presence / I want to see Your face / Show me Your glory / Majesty shines about You / I can’t go on without You, Lord
When I climb down the mountain / And get back to my life / I won’t settle for ordinary things / I’m gonna follow You forever / And for all of my days / I won’t rest ’til I see You again
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: A brief word of explanation – 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.) The Scripture readings are primarily from the Gospel of John, with the intent to complete the reading by Easter. Other Scriptures which illuminate the Gospel of John will be included along the way.
Reflections from various saints will be included as their memorial days occur during the calendar year.
On Sundays, I’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.
The Peanut Gallery 